The anthropometric match between high school learners of the Cape Metropole area, Western Cape, South Africa and their computer workstation at school

• Published in: Applied ergonomics 2013-05, Vol.44 (3), p.366-371
• Main Authors: van Niekerk, Sjan-Mari, Louw, Quinette Abigail, Grimmer-Somers, Karen, Harvey, Justin, Hendry, Kevan John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Anthropology; Anthropometry; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Body Height; Buttocks - anatomy & histology; Computer chair; Computers - standards; Computers - statistics & numerical data; Education; Ergonomics; Ergonomics - standards; Ergonomics - statistics & numerical data; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Female; Hip - anatomy & histology; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Interior Design and Furnishings - standards; Interior Design and Furnishings - statistics & numerical data; Male; Medical sciences; Mismatch; Pain; Posture; Schools - statistics & numerical data; Secondary school students; South Africa; Spinal pain; Spine; Students - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0003-6870; 1872-9126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2012.09.008

Descriptive study. The objective of this study was to present anthropometric data from high school students in Cape Metropole area, Western Cape, South Africa that are relevant for chair design and whether the dimensions of computer laboratory chairs currently used in high schools match linear anthropometrics of high-school students. Summary of Background Data. Learner–chair mismatch is proposed as a cause of poor postural alignment and spinal pain in adolescents. A learner–chair mismatch is defined as the incompatibility between the dimensions of a chair and the anthropometric dimensions of the learner. Currently, there is no published research to ascertain whether the furniture dimensions in school computer laboratories match the anthropometrics of the students. This may contribute to the high prevalence of adolescent spinal pain. The sample consisted of 689 learners, 13–18 years old. The following body dimensions were measured: stature, popliteal height, buttock-to-popliteal length and hip width. These measurements were matched with the corresponding chair seat dimensions: height, depth and width. Popliteal and seat height mismatch was defined when the seat height is either >95% or 95% or