Mismatch between fixed classroom furniture and anthropometric measurements among university students: Relationships to ergonomic risk

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Appropriate arrangement of classroom ergonomics is necessary for maintaining health and improving academic performance, learning, and motivation.

OBJECTIVE:

We aimed to determine the anthropometric measurements and ergonomic risk levels of students during a handwriting activity on a fixed desk and chair and to analyze the mismatch and relationships between these factors.

METHODS:

This study included 149 university students (female:73, male:76). Anthropometric measurements (lower and upper extremity length, shoulder height, elbow-rest height, hip-popliteal length, popliteal height, knee height, the distance between tragus and wall, and between acromion and wall) were done with a tape measure. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool was conducted to determine the ergonomic risk level while students wrote a standard text on a fixed desk and chair as if they were taking notes in the classroom. The mismatch was evaluated between backrest height and sitting shoulder height, seat height, and popliteal height. The Pearson Chi-Square and the Spearman Correlation test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

The median values of the participants’ age, height, weight, and BMI were 22 years, 1.70 m, 68 kg, and 23.18 kg/cm², respectively. Most students had inadequate ergonomic posture while writing on fixed furniture at the university (Median RULA grand score: 4). More mismatches for seat height (54.4%) were found in high ergonomic risk levels but mismatches for backrest height did not follow a similar result.

CONCLUSIONS:

More investigation should be conducted with prospective studies including interventions like adjustable furniture.