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ERIC Number: EJ757670
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-May
Pages: 8
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
The Working Postures among Schoolchildren--Controlled Intervention Study on the Effects of Newly Designed Workstations
Saarni, Lea; Nygrd, Clas-H kan; Rimpel, Arja; Nummi, Tapio; Kaukiainen, Anneli
Journal of School Health, v77 n5 p240-247 May 2007
Background: School workstations are often inappropriate in not offering an optimal sitting posture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of individually adjustable saddle-type chairs with wheels and desks with comfort curve and arm support on schoolchildren's working postures compared to conventional workstations. Methods: Ninety-seven participants aged 12-16 years were followed for 1 year, 47 at an intervention school and 50 at a control school. Anthropometrics and workstation dimensions were measured and working postures analyzed for a part of each group (n=21, both groups) by means of video recording at baseline, before new workstations were introduced, and during follow-up. Results: There was a significant increase in upright back (p = 0.012) and neck (p = 0.019) postures in the intervention group compared to controls during follow-up. The saddle-type chairs allowed significantly greater trunk-thigh angles (p lesser than 0.001) among participants than conventional chairs. Conclusions: In schoolchildren, using individually adjustable saddle-type chairs and desks with comfort curve, a better match between workstations and anthropometric dimensions and improved working postures are obtained than using conventional workstations.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A