Ergonomic chair design should adapt to the user and activity to maximize productivity. There are many designs, often adjustable, but the best fit for a user’s body and activity is not scientifically clear. It’s important to choose a philosophy before settling on a design.
The basics of ergonomic chair design are simply that the chair should adapt to both the user and the use to maximize productivity. Since all users are different and chairs are used in a variety of different professions, there are many different ergonomic chair designs. Usually, people design ergonomic chairs for office work which is almost always done at a desk. Even so, ergonomic chairs can be designed specifically for reading, breastfeeding, or any other type of activity performed in a chair.
Ergonomic chair design usually considers issues such as how best to support the lower back, how to keep the user’s arms and legs at appropriate angles, and how high the chair should be off the floor for optimal interaction with a desk . Often, a good ergonomic chair design will be adjustable so that no matter what the user or desk height is, the chair always fits well. The interaction between the chair and desk can be so complete that the two can be sold together, or each can be ergonomically designed on its own.
To a large extent, what constitutes an ergonomic chair design depends on the philosophy one adopts when it comes to the body. For example, some people believe that kneeling chairs are more ergonomically designed than traditional sitting chairs, while others subscribe to the saddle chair philosophy or even the idea of active sitting. Which ergonomic chair design best fits a user’s body is not scientifically clear, although there are many theories.
As for how the chair fits the activity it’s being used for, the issues get even more complex. The best an ergonomic chair design can do is adapt to the average situation. For example, an ergonomic chair might be designed to work with a large computer monitor, placing the user’s face in optimal alignment with the screen. When a person uses a laptop instead of a large computer, they look down in a highly undesirable way. Especially as chairs get older and are not equipped with the related technology, the degree to which they can be considered ergonomic decreases.
When it comes to the basics of ergonomic chair design, the best path is to decide on a philosophy before settling on a design. It might be a good idea to read up on different sitting philosophies and try out different working conditions, such as working at a desk or at a computer. This way, the chair will adjust to the parameters you decide upon rather than forcing the user to adjust the chair.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
