Ergonomic Information
What are Ergonomics?
Here at Sitbetter we believe that in order to be an expert, we must have substantial knowledge of all the circumstances of our trade. Ergonomics are an important part of office seating, and we have developed this area as a knowledge database with our thoughts and research on the subject that we can only hope will help you understand ergonomics better. Please, if anything is unclear, or if you have any other comments, concerns, questions or ideas for us, let us know! Ergoinfo@sitbetter.com
Ergonomics are an important part of office seating, office chairs, and a healthy workplace. But what exactly is an ergonomic workplace, and how do I achieve it?
Definition of Ergonomics
Ergonomics, as defined by the International Ergonomics Association (yes, there really is one.
Nevertheless, a great source for understanding all levels of ergonomics):
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
Derived from the Greek ergon (work) and nomos (laws) to denote the science of work ... ergonomics promotes a holistic approach in which considerations of physical, cognitive, social, organizational, environmental and other relevant factors are taken into account. (International Ergonomics Association, 2007)
Ergonomic features in Office Chairs
Ergonomics has become a necessitated factor for the workplace, not only because Corporate deemed it so to reduce work compensation lawsuits, but because correctly implemented ergonomics substantially key into productivity increases as well. They play a key role in allowing employees to efficiently and effectively work continuous hours without pains or needs to interrupt their work. (That said, sitting at your desk for eight hours straight is a bad idea no matter the chair, so we highly suggest that every hour or so, you take two minutes to walk around, meander, and stretch yes, some people might laugh, but who will have the last laugh when your blood will be more evenly distributed and muscles more relaxed leading to more proactive thoughts and thus the big juicy bonus?)
As far as office seating is concerned, there are a few things one must consider when looking at ergonomic chairs. Most chairs will have some sort of ergonomic components built in, however, the combination, and the right use, of components are what make a chair ergonomic.
Some companies have unique approach to ergonomics and therefore unique, patented technology, so our focus in this piece is to give you insight into what the standard ergonomic features, and how to use them so that are.
The Seat
Look at the seat of the chair. Look for the side contour on the seats, as well as the waterfall front. These two features allow for optimal blood flow through your legs, and optimal blood flow reduces yawning and tiredness (because you yawn and get tired from a lack of oxygen, which can come from bad circulation
drinking water helps this too).
Final Word: A benefit, and normally a standard in office chairs today.
Passive Lumbar Support vs. Active Lumbar Support
When analyzing the importance of lumbar support, we must first explain the importance of adopting the correct sitting position, an often overlooked but common contributing factor to back problems. Sitting right is simple the lower back below the beltline must be as far back as possible, thus ensuring the lumbar gets the support and the back is maintained in a straight position. Lumbar support and the correct sitting posture together, not individually, give you good ergonomic comfort. To illustrate, we point to statistics provided by the British Society for Rheumatology in a study conducted to understand the mechanics of the lumbar disc. When compared to the pressure on the lumbar disc in the standing position, unsupported sitting, which can be caused by the improper position or lack of lumbar support or both, increases the load by 40% on the disc. (On top of that, reclining, comparatively, reduces the strain by 70%. Just don't say we told you when the boss asks why you're reclining all day.)
What is the difference between passive and active lumbar support?
Simply put, passive is usually not adjustable, but built into the frame of the chair, while active is a standalone lumbar support that can be adjusted in a multitude of ways.
Is one better than the other?
Not necessarily. Passive lumbar can achieve the same amount of support as fully active lumbar if the chair has other ergonomic elements built in to adjust the chair ratchet back or seat slider, for example. However, if these elements are not present, then an active lumbar would take the cake. Having both of them would be the frosting that everyone takes a finger taste out of before the cake is cut.
Adjustability is important when talking about lumbar, speaking in terms of an active support. While adjustability up and down is crucial because you can fit it to where your lumbar is, adjustability in and out is just as important, in that it regulates the pressure applied to your lumbar; the support strength, if you will. As well, four-way adjustability allows for the user to customize their office chair's lumbar support to their personal need. Usually, four-way lumbar is a premium feature, but not one that should be overlooked.
Adjustability in passive lumbar support is rare, being as it is built into the frame of a chair, but certain office chairs incorporating passive support also include a seat slider and ratchet back, to allow for adjustability.
Final Word: Depending on your back issues, and on the time you sit in your chair all day, this is a very personal issue. Most chairs have built in passive lumbar, but if you feel stress on your back with that format, then try an active support for a while, or vice versa.
2:1 Advanced Syncro-Tilt Knee-Tilt Mechanism
The 2:1 Syncro tilt option keeps your knees and legs in an ergonomically correct position while allowing you to comfortably recline. The ratio means that for every 2 degrees of back recline, the seat lifts 1 degree, thus ensuring ergonomic comfort. Most of these mechanisms are sloped down and back, putting the attachment point of the mechanism and chair towards the front of the seat.
It is an important part of proper office work ergonomics to keep one's feet grounded, instead of hanging in the air. The knee-tilt feature allows for such a position. Hanging puts feet to sleep, which is bad for circulation, which we know is bad for your blood flow and health.
Final Word: A beneficial feature usually a feature found on more upscale office chairs, but becoming more common.
Ratchet Back
The ability to move the seat back up and down is a commodity feature that is not very common in many chairs; however, it is a feature that will be found in multi-function task chairs quite often. For the most part, a ratchet back will replace an adjustable lumbar support, since it will usually have a passive lumbar support. A ratchet back can have its uses, though; a chair that is used by different people might need this feature, being as each user can easily and quickly customize the feel of the chair.
Final Word: A benefit. An S contoured back or an adjustable lumbar are needed for proper back ergonomics. Adding a ratchet back to those two is a bonus, but not necessary. All else equal, lumbar support will give you more ergonomic benefits than a ratchet chair back, but for 24/7 chairs, for example, a ratchet back, which allows for customization of the sit, is crucial.
Seat Slider
The seat slider is the device that adjusts the seat pan forwards or backwards. It is essentially a ratchet back feature for the seat. The seat slider helps the chair adjust to the user, not vice versa. Its importance to a chair's overall ergonomic nature can be determined by the type of seat cushion in the chair. This feature can help adjust the user so that they are getting full use of the waterfall feature on the front of the seat, as well as provide the user the ability to fit into the contours of the seat comfortably.
Final Word: If used properly, the seat slider can add more comfort and customize the office chair to the user. While not absolutely essential to functional ergonomics, it is a welcome addition.
Adjustable vs. Fixed Arms
Arms can adjust in a variety of ways these days. They go up and down, in and out and forward and back. For the most part, though, we can differentiate arms into two groups: adjustable, or fixed. Unless you are in a conference room, where the ability to rest your arms is important, adjustability is preferred over fixed, in an ergonomic context.
Proper ergonomic thought deems your arms should not be resting when typing, as that slows the blood flow to an area that requires it because of the movement. However, the ability to adjust arms up and down, or downright remove them, can help prevent this.
Final Word: It is really dependant on the use of the chair. For conferencing, fixed is plenty. For cubicles, adjustable is nice. For big executive leather chairs, fixed is good enough. For task seating, adjustable is preferred.
The chair however, is simply one part of the ergonomic equation. There are a few other things that, in combination with the right chair, will provide the maximum ergonomic comfort at your desk.
A monitor arm is important. A monitor arm simply holds your monitor in place at eye level, preventing your neck from careening down or up to see the screen. It will also free up room on your desk to operate more freely and efficiently.
A keyboard tray is even more important, and probably the first thing you should invest in after buying your chair. It keeps your arms and hands in an ergonomically correct position, which is straight, and not upwards, to reduce stress and fatigue on your wrists. Ideally, you want your keyboard tray to have a mouse pad, for the same reasons you want a keyboard tray.
Also, a footrest is recommended to promote continual movement of your feet. Also, you can get up and walk around, stretch, jump, do back flips, whatever, to keep your body limber throughout the day.
Remember, proper ergonomics are a combination of items coming together for maximum benefit. But to stay as healthy as possible, we cannot stress enough being active. One position is not good for you, and while we promote sitting at Sitbetter.com, we encourage standing, running, jumping and all around movement as well. Sitbetter.com hopes we taught you a little more about not only sitting better, but how to feel better as well!
At Sit Better, we keep it simple, faster, less
expensive and better!
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