Impact of an ergonomic seat on the stand-to-sit strategy in healthy subjects: Spinal and lower limbs kinematics. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chaléat-Valayer, Emmanuelle; Samuel, Camille; Verdun, Stéphane; Bard-Pondarré, Rachel; Bernard, Jean-Claude; Le Blay, Grégoire; Berthonnaud, Eric
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 80(2019)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Ergonomic seat -- Motion analysis -- Lordosis; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.05.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: To assess differences in spinal, pelvic and lower limb parameters in healthy individuals during a stand-to-sit task using three different seating conditions. Methods: Ten healthy adults carried out three stand-to-sit movements on different stools: a high ergonomic stool with the seat tilted 10° forward; a standard stool (adjusted to the same height as the ergonomic stool) and a standard stool at a lower level (so their thighs were horizontal). Movements were recorded by an optoelectronic Vicon system. Results: Hip flexion was altered by the height of the seat (significantly greater for the low standard stool in comparison to either the ergonomic stool or the high standard stool (p < 0.0001)). There was also significantly less knee flexion with the ergonomic stool in comparison to the low standard stool (p < 0.0001) and to the high standard stool (p = 0.0017). Lumbar lordosis was not significantly altered by seat height, although it was less pronounced with the ergonomic stool, with a significantly higher range of motion for the pelvis (p = 0.015). At the thoracic level, no differences were observed, except that the stand-to-sit movement on the lower stool produced greater flexion. Conclusion: Lumbar lordosis was not increased by the ergonomic stool and the range of lower limb motion was reduced by the high seat. These findings contrast with current opinion that ergonomic seats promote lumbar lordosis. Highlights: The kinematics of stand-to-sit strategies are related to the type of stool. The height of the seat has an impact on hip flexion and knee flexion. Lumbar lordosis is not significantly altered by seat height, neither is it by the tilt of the seat.