Posture Research

PosturePress.com - The Science of Sitting

Posture Research - 1

1.1 Looze MP, et al. Sitting comfort and discomfort and the relationship with objective measures. Ergonomics 2003: 46(10).

See Comments Below Regarding This Study

COMMENTS:

The authors of this study set out to determine if objective measures could be found that relate to feelings of comfort or discomfort while sitting. If present, these measures could be used in the evaluation and design of seats for office, car and home use. It was discovered that PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION was the objective measure most clearly related to sitting comfort. A uniform distribution of pressure of the seat against the body can best be accomplished with
1) a seat that provides:

* a backrest with a better fit to the shape of the body

* a backrest with contact to both the upper and lower back

* the most even weight distribution for the back and buttock areas

and 2) seated posture:

* with less forward leaning at the waist

* with less neck, shoulder, and back muscle activity

* with less slumping (less stature loss)

1.2 Cagnie B. et al. Individual and work related risk factors for neck pain among office workers: a cross sectional study. Eur Spine J Dec 8 2006.

See Comments Below Regarding This Study

COMMENTS:

The worldwide trend is for people to use computers for longer periods daily, due to increased computer-based tasks at work as well as during leisure activities. The aim of this study was to estimate the one-year prevalence of neck pain among office workers and to determine which physical, psychological and individual factors are related. Five hundred and twelve office workers from ten different companies throughout Belgium were studied (720 questionnaires were distributed of which 512 responded - 71.1%).

A total of 45.5% of the population reported neck pain within the past 12 months, 18.1% complained of continuous pain. Significant physical, psychological and individual factors related to the neck pain were as follows:

1. The prevalence of neck pain was higher among women than men. An overall smaller stature and lower strength suggest that most women are working with higher relative musculoskeletal load.

2. Being physically active decreases the likelihood of having neck pain.

3. The risk of neck pain is about two-fold for those experiencing mental tiredness at the end of the workday.

4. Shortage of personnel, which may be an indirect reflection of work (over)load, showed a positive association with neck pain.

5. Often holding the neck in a forward bent posture for a prolonged time, often working in the same position for a prolonged time, and often making the same movements per minute were significantly associated with neck pain.

The authors of this research concluded that, based on the study, intervention should be applied to reduce computer exposure and also toward improving ergonomic conditions.

1.3 Schwab F, Dubey A, et al. Adult scoliosis: A health assessment analysis by SF-36. Spine 2003: 28(6).

See Comments Below Regarding This Study

COMMENTS:

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact that scoliosis (side to side curvature) has on the health perceptions of adult patients. The data indicated that scoliosis clearly had a negative impact on patient mental and physical health perception. X-ray analysis of those patents showed a direct correlation between the natural forward arch of the lower back, called the "lumbar lordosis," and the patient's overall well-being. Loss of lumbar lordosis was the only radiographic measure related to lower social functioning and reduced general health, which implies that the status of the lower back contour is very significant. The importance of the lumbar lordosis likely applies to everyone - with or without scoliosis.