SITTING HABITS OF OFFICE EMPLOYEES

Abstract

The paper describes an investigation of the sitting habits of 378 clerical employees and an experimental study of the most comfortable seat height on 68 subjects. The investigation comprised a survey of complaints and the measuring of body dimensions and seat and table heights as well as 4D20 observations of occupations and sitting postures. Principal results of both investigations 1. Clerical personnel seek seat heights enabling them to assume a most comfortable position of the trunk. This is achieved at distances between the seat and table top between 27 and 30 cm. 2. With a comfortable posture of the trunk, chair seat heights between 42 and 47 cm are preferred. 3. Complaints in the thighs are caused mainly by shifting the weight of the body to the thighs owing to job requirements, and not so much by the seat height. 4. Tables 78 cm high give employees optimum opportunity for individual adjustment provided that seat heights are adjustable and foot-rests available. 5. 57 per cent of the subjects complain...