A study conducted at Cardiff University in the UK looked at how different chairs affect the lower back and neck. The study tested four different types of chairs, two dynamic, kneeling chair and balance chair, and two static, saddle chair and a standard office chair but without back support. In the study, otherwise healthy volunteers performed a writing task while sitting on these different chairs. Using digital photogrammetry, a method that captures and analyzes angles through photography, the team measured the angles of the pelvis, lower back, neck and head to assess posture.
The results were reviewed and showed that the saddle chair provided the best posture for the lower back and the balance chair and also the saddle chair were best for the neck. However, no chair was found to be optimal for the whole back.
The conclusion of the study was that when choosing your ergonomic chair, you need to think about what is most important to you and that it is individual which chair is best. If you are buying for your company or workplace, do not think that one chair fits all, but remember that we are all different with different needs.
If you need help, please contact us at Support Design and we will help you in your decisions.
Source: A pilot investigation into the effects of different office chairs on spinal angels. S. Annetts, P. Coales. R. Colville, D. Mistry, K. Moles, B. Thomas, R. Van Deursen.
