Abstract
An anthropometric survey of Federal University of Technology Owerri students was carried out in order to determine the anthropometric data needed for proper design of seats used in the classroom. A total of four hundred students, of different gender and level were involved in the survey and their anthropometric measurement were taken and recorded with the help of anthropometric tools. The anthropometric measurements taken were, Stature, sitting height, sitting shoulder height, Popliteal height, Hip breadth, Elbow rest height, Buttock popliteal length, Buttock knee length, Thigh clearance, Sitting eye height, Shoulder breadth and Knee height. The data obtained were analysed using SPSS, Excel and Minitab statistical packages to get the mean, standard deviation and percentiles. Comparing the dimensions of the existing furniture with the anthropometric measures obtained revealed that the existing furniture are not ergonomically suitable for the students. Using the results of the analysed anthropometric data, a model classroom seat was suggested which takes into consideration the seat height, seat depth, seat width, backrest height, armrest height and backrest angle.
Highlights
Anthropometry is the branch of the human sciences that deals with body measurements: with measurements of body size, shape, strength and working capacity
This research is necessary to ensure that the comfort of the students is taken into consideration in the design of classroom furniture
A model classroom seat was designed which is ergonomically suitable for the students in Federal University of Technology Owerri
Summary
Anthropometry is the branch of the human sciences that deals with body measurements: with measurements of body size, shape, strength and working capacity. The lecture halls become the work environment for the students and effort has to be made to ensure that it is comfortable and can allow efficient learning. Many researchers have tried to establish theoretical recommendations for the principles that relate school furniture design to students’ anthropometry, and some have attempted to define the “appropriate” dimensions for school furniture based on anthropometric measurements. There have been studies related to school furniture design that have investigated differences in body dimensions due to age and gender. There were attempts to design desk and chairs based on anthropometric data (Oyewole, et al, 2010)
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