Respiratory chest movement measurement as a chair quality indicator--preliminary observations

Abstract

Regardless of the constantly increasing time man is spending in a sitting position, there is still a lack of objective chair quality assessment criteria. The aim of this paper is to find the answer to whether respiratory chest movement measurements can be a chair quality indicator. The study included 34 participants (mean 34.7 years±5.2). Their chest movements were assessed using respiratory inductive plethysmography while sitting on two subsequent chairs. Significant differences in chest movements depending on chair type were observed concerning the breathing duct (upper and lower) and breathing movement amplitude. The amplitude of the upper respiratory track in the first chair was higher (239.4 mV) compared with the second seat (207.3 mV) (p=.018). The analyzed parameters of respiratory chest movement may become a helpful indicator for design and selection of chairs which enable people to both work and relax in the most ergonomic conditions.

Keywords: breath; chair; chest breathing movements; sitting posture.

Figure 1.

Examples of records of the chest respiratory movements while sitting on the first chair (with adjustable seat and backrest, with no possibility to adjust seat angle relative to the ground surface. The seat and back were connected, which implies that the backrest could not be adjusted to the length of the upper part of the body. The backrest was able to set at an angle in the range of 95°–100°).

Figure 2.

Examples of records of the chest respiratory movements while sitting on the second chair (with adjustable seat and backrest, both, seat and backrest were movable, which provided a small movement range (∼15°) both in the sagittal and the frontal planes. The backrest consisted of three separate head, chest and pelvis rests adjustable to the individual body segments. The backrest had the opportunity to be set in the range 105°–110°).