Effect of the Circutone Seat on Hemodynamic,Subjective and Thermal Responses during Prolonged Sitting

Abstract

Seven young men were administered a series of tests during 5 hours of quiet sitting performed twice, on two different days. On one day, a Circutone seat (massage-type seat cushion) was activated for 14 min/hour. Hemodynamic responses measured with an impedance plethysmograph, skin temperature, body weight and urine changes, and subjective reactions were recorded. Changing from supine to sitting resulted in decreases in stroke volume and leg blood flow and in blood pooling in the calf and thigh. When the Circutone seat was not activated, 5 hours of sitting resulted in continuous decrease in calf blood flow and an increase in calf venous pooling; increase in blood pressure and stable cardiac output; very low urine output and a garge increase in skin temperature at the body areas in contact with the seat, and in an increase in various subjective responses of discomfort. The Circutone activation resulted in substantial exchange of the stagnant blood in the calf and thigh; a tendency to increase calf and thigh blood flow and decrease calf and thigh venous pooling, and in less subjective discomfort sensations. The results indicate that the main adverse hemodynamic effect of prolonged sitting is blood pooling in the lower legs which, however, is compensated by an increase in blood pressure. The Circutone seat improves seat comfort by improving local circulation, especially in the thighs, which probably affects the improved subjective reactions.