Office chairs are becoming a modern status symbol in the workplace. Many individuals are seated on office chairs for most of the working day. As a result of using poorly designed chairs injury and discomfort are frequently experienced, most particularly lower back pain. Correct design of chairs is imperative, and must be user-centered. The aim of this investigation has been to gather anthropometric dimensions characteristic of the South African population, as this information has not been widely assimilated to date. Once collated, this information could be used in the design of an ergonomically correct office chair, suitable for the unique characteristics of the South African working population. Anthropometric dimensions were collected from 683 South Africans (comprising 448 South African females and 235 South African males) from pre-selected companies in major centres in South Africa (Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, East London, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town). Measurements included participants’ personal information (age, sex, home language and ethnic group), basic anthropometric measures (stature, shoulder height, mass, and waist and hip circumference) as well as specific measures of fit of the individual to the specially designed, adjustable chair. Of the 448 females, 317 were Black females, 77 were White females, 35 were Coloured females and 19 were Indian/Asian females. Of the 235 males, 112 were Black males, 79 were White males, 26 were Coloured males and 18 were Indian/Asian males. Office chair dimensions for each ethnic group were represented and differences were noted. A comparison between a current office chair’s dimensions and the South African sample office chair’s dimensions indicated modifications that would need to be constructed to suit the South African sample. The conventional office chair is still the most widely accepted office chair due to its stability and support structures that maintain the correct sitting posture of the user. An ergonomic office chair needs to incorporate anthropometric dimensions worldwide.

This report covers the examination of course Degree of Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Design MSGC12. The course is given on the Innovation and Design Program at the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology at Karlstad University. The course corresponds to 22.5 credits and extends over the spring semester in 2017. Examiner is Leo de Vin and supervisor is Kristina Gullander. The project is carried out on behalf of Support Design AB, which manufactures and distributes handmade ergonomic chairs. The company is aiming primarily at the dental and medical industry, where they have discovered a great interest in flexible and ergonomic chairs. There are today competing brands that manufacture chairs whose seats are similar to Support Designs. The company now wishes to expand its range of seating in order to differ from market competitors. Need for a more concrete foundation in research on sitting in the dental sector is also something they are looking for. The assignment therefore consists of developing an ergonomically designed seat for dental operator chairs, which has a strong foundation in research on sitting in the dental industry and has got a unique design. The project's pre-study starts with a literature study, with a large emphasis on trying to define what a good and ergonomic sitting posture is. This is done to provide a basis for a subsequent analysis of interviews and observations by dental staff. To survey the needs of the users, 15 interviews are performed with dental staff to gain an insight into their views of the workplaces and existing operator chairs. Structured observations are carried out at 11 patient visits in connection with the interviews to find motion patterns and review their work positions. The result of the preliminary study shows that many in dental care experience or has experienced work-related pain, especially shoulders, neck and back. A wide legged and relatively ergonomic working position is commonly observed in narrow operating rooms.   The project results in 15 different concepts where four qualify for prototype manufacturing and testing. One concept is perceived to be the most comfortable while another is perceived to be the most unique. One concept meets ergonomic criteria best and another does not meet all the important requirements that the pre-study generated.

\"Itinerário de borboletas\" olha para as relações existentes entre o mobiliário e a arquitetura residencial através da poltrona BKF e de seus vínculos com os espaços da casa. Tem como objetivo analisar e refletir sobre as condições de design focadas na concepção, no projeto e na produção da BKF, reconhecendo as inter-relações existentes entre esse design e a arquitetura no cenário doméstico de uso da poltrona. Pretende constituir o registro de uma viagem através das casas habitadas (ou ocupadas) pelas BKF, usando como metodologia análises contextuais, visuais e projetuais, analisando e refletindo sobre a interação existente entre o mobiliário e os ambientes domésticos onde a proposta de investigação se concentra. Procura-se colaborar no desenvolvimento da pesquisa em área de projeto como um campo em construção epistemológica, ao adaptar e utilizar as ferramentas de produção e de representação de projeto para a descrição, análise e interpretação dos dados. Também pretende contribuir para uma compreensão mais profunda no conhecimento da relação entre mobiliário e arquitetura como áreas de um mesmo corpo disciplinar. Persegue as seguintes perguntas: Onde? Quais espaços domésticos a BKF ocupa? Como a poltrona ocupa tais espaços? O que significa? E quais são as relações entre a BKF e esses ambientes? Em síntese, este trabalho se concentra em estudar e analisar de que maneira a cadeira BKF ocupa os cenários domésticos, que significado tem sua presença para os arquitetos, e que laços e relações são oferecidos para o habitante na forma do sentar como interpretação do morar. Este trabalho é uma pequena mostra que pretende ler e compreender a arquitetura em função de uma poltrona particular. / \"Butterflies\' Itinerary\" observes the existing relationships between furniture and residential architecture, through the BKF chair and its links with the domestic spaces. The goal of the work is to analyze and reflect on the design conditions, with a focus on the conception, the project and the production of the BKF chair. We look at the existing relationships between this chair and the architecture of the domestic spaces where it is used. This work has the intention of building a travel log of the houses inhabited (or occupied) by this chair. The methodology used includes contextual, visual and design analyses. We analyze and reflect on the existing relationships between the furniture and the domestic architecture. We aim at making a contribution to the development of research in the area of design practice, a field undergoing an epistemological development, by adapting and using production and representation tools to describe, analyze and interpret the available data. More in general, we would like to contribute to the deeper understanding of the relationship between furniture and architecture, as parts of the same disciplinary body. We consider the following questions: Where do we find these chairs? Which domestic spaces does the BKF chair occupy? How does it occupy those spaces? What is the significance of the chair\'s presence? What is the relationship between the chair and those spaces? In short, this work focuses on the study and analysis of how the BKF chair occupies the domestic spaces, what the meaning of its presence is for the architects, and what links and relations are offered to the inhabitant through the way of seating, as an interpretation of the way of living. This work has the intention of reading and understanding the architecture in terms of a particular chair.

\"Itinerário de borboletas\" olha para as relações existentes entre o mobiliário e a arquitetura residencial através da poltrona BKF e de seus vínculos com os espaços da casa. Tem como objetivo analisar e refletir sobre as condições de design focadas na concepção, no projeto e na produção da BKF, reconhecendo as inter-relações existentes entre esse design e a arquitetura no cenário doméstico de uso da poltrona. Pretende constituir o registro de uma viagem através das casas habitadas (ou ocupadas) pelas BKF, usando como metodologia análises contextuais, visuais e projetuais, analisando e refletindo sobre a interação existente entre o mobiliário e os ambientes domésticos onde a proposta de investigação se concentra. Procura-se colaborar no desenvolvimento da pesquisa em área de projeto como um campo em construção epistemológica, ao adaptar e utilizar as ferramentas de produção e de representação de projeto para a descrição, análise e interpretação dos dados. Também pretende contribuir para uma compreensão mais profunda no conhecimento da relação entre mobiliário e arquitetura como áreas de um mesmo corpo disciplinar. Persegue as seguintes perguntas: Onde? Quais espaços domésticos a BKF ocupa? Como a poltrona ocupa tais espaços? O que significa? E quais são as relações entre a BKF e esses ambientes? Em síntese, este trabalho se concentra em estudar e analisar de que maneira a cadeira BKF ocupa os cenários domésticos, que significado tem sua presença para os arquitetos, e que laços e relações são oferecidos para o habitante na forma do sentar como interpretação do morar. Este trabalho é uma pequena mostra que pretende ler e compreender a arquitetura em função de uma poltrona particular. / \"Butterflies\' Itinerary\" observes the existing relationships between furniture and residential architecture, through the BKF chair and its links with the domestic spaces. The goal of the work is to analyze and reflect on the design conditions, with a focus on the conception, the project and the production of the BKF chair. We look at the existing relationships between this chair and the architecture of the domestic spaces where it is used. This work has the intention of building a travel log of the houses inhabited (or occupied) by this chair. The methodology used includes contextual, visual and design analyses. We analyze and reflect on the existing relationships between the furniture and the domestic architecture. We aim at making a contribution to the development of research in the area of design practice, a field undergoing an epistemological development, by adapting and using production and representation tools to describe, analyze and interpret the available data. More in general, we would like to contribute to the deeper understanding of the relationship between furniture and architecture, as parts of the same disciplinary body. We consider the following questions: Where do we find these chairs? Which domestic spaces does the BKF chair occupy? How does it occupy those spaces? What is the significance of the chair\'s presence? What is the relationship between the chair and those spaces? In short, this work focuses on the study and analysis of how the BKF chair occupies the domestic spaces, what the meaning of its presence is for the architects, and what links and relations are offered to the inhabitant through the way of seating, as an interpretation of the way of living. This work has the intention of reading and understanding the architecture in terms of a particular chair.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aims: To assess the effect of a vertical height adjustment of the chair and visual display unit (VDU) on work related upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain (WRUQMP) and sitting comfort in computer users. The upper quadrant refers to the occiput, cervical and upper thoracic spine including the clavicles and scapulae. Methods: An N=1 study was conducted using the ABC design whereby an ergonomic workstation adjustment, of VDU and chair height, was compared to the subject’s usual workstation settings. Pain and sitting comfort were measured using visual analogue scales (VAS). The subject was assessed over the four week phases as she performed her typical VDU work. The results were compiled and tabulated. Results: Both the mean and variance in pain intensity decreased after the workstation intervention. A deterioration was noted in sitting comfort. Conclusion: The vertical height adjustment of the chair and VDU may have contributed to a decrease in WRUQMP in this subject. This safe, economical workstation intervention may be a practical management option for the computer user suffering from WRUQMP. Further research into the measurement of comfort whilst sitting at a computer workstation, is recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Doelwitte: Om die effek te bepaal van n vertikale aanpassing van die stoel en beeldskerm van rekenaargebruikers op werksverwandte boonste kwadrant muskuloskeletale pyn en sitgemak. Die boonste kwadrant verwys na die oksiput, servikale en boonste torakale werwelkolom en sluit ook die klavikel en skapula in. Methode: Die N=1 studie is onderneem met gebruik van die ABC ontwerp in terme waarvan n ergonomiese aanpassing van stoel en beeldskerm vergelyk is met die normale gebruik van die deelnemer. Pyn en sitgemak is gemeet deur die gebruik van die Visueel analoogskaal. Die interwensies is ge-evalueer oor vierweekfases tydens normale rekenaar gebruik van die deelnemer. Die resultate is saamgestel en getabuleer. Uitkoms: Beide die gemiddelde en veranderlike pynintensiteit het verminder nadat die werkstasie aangepas is. Geen verbetering in sitgemak is opgemerk nie. Gevolgtrekking: Die vertikale hoogte-aanpassing van die stoel en beeldskerm het moontlik bygedra tot die verminderde pynvlakke in hierdie deelnemer. Hierdie veilige, ekonomiese verstelling is moontlik n praktiese beheeropsie vir rekenaargebruikers wat werksverwandte boonste kwadrant muskuloskeletale pyn verduur. Verder studie in die meet en waarneming van sitgemak tydens rekenaarwerk is nodig.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aims: To assess the effect of a chair and computer screen height adjustment on the neck and upper back musculoskeletal symptoms in an office worker. Methods: An N=1 study was conducted using the ABC design. Ethics approval was obtained for the study and the participant provided informed written consent. The participant was assessed over three four week phases as she performed her habitual computer work. The outcome measures assessed during the three phases were the pain intensity and perceived sitting comfort. The three phases were named the baseline, intervention and wash-out phases. During the baseline phase, the outcome measures were obtained at the participant‟s habitual work station. The intervention phase involved a vertical adjustment of the chair and computer screen height. The wash-out phase allowed the participant to adjust the chair and computer screen height to their choice. A follow-up interview was conducted with the participant three months after completion of the study. The mean values and the ranges of the pain intensity and perceived comfort were obtained and compared. The data collected was captured on a Microsoft Excel 2010 spread sheet, where after the data was tabulated and presented graphically. Results: The mean pain intensity of the participant increased slightly during the intervention phase in comparison to the baseline phase, but remained stable during the wash-out phase. The mean perceived sitting comfort deteriorated initially during the intervention phase, but improved later during the intervention phase and showed greater improvement during the wash out phase. The perceived sitting comfort showed more improvement than the pain intensity during the washout phase. Both the pain intensity and perceived sitting comfort showed improvement at the three months follow up assessment, post completion of the study. Conclusion: The vertical height adjustment of the chair and the VDT did not improve the participant‟s pain intensity and perceived sitting comfort when compared to the participant‟s habitual workstation parameters. The findings do not favour the horizontal viewing angle. The findings of this study however support the use of „slightly below horizontal‟ viewing angle as being conducive to reduce the pain intensity and improve the sitting comfort of an office worker. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Doelstelling: Om die effek te bepaal van die hoogte aanpassing van die stoel en rekenaarskerm op die nek en bo-rug muskuloskeletale simptome van 'n kantoorwerker. Metodes: „n N=1 studie was uitgevoer deur gebruik te maak van die ABC ontwerp. Etiese goedkeuring was verkry vir die studie en die deelnemer het ingeligte skriftelike toestemming verleen. Die deelnemer was ge-evalueer oor drie vier week-lange fases terwyl sy haar gewone rekenaarwerk verrig het. Die uitkomsmetings ge-evalueer tydens die drie fases was pyn intensiteit en waargenome sitgemak. Die drie fases was genoem die basislyn, intervensie en uitwas fases. Gedurende die basislyn fase was die uitkomsmetings by die deelnemer se gewone werkstasie ingevorder. Die intervensie fase het 'n vertikale aanpassing van die stoel en rekenaarskerm behels. Die uitwas fase het die deelnemer toegelaat om haar stoel en rekenaarskerm se hoogte aan te pas volgens haar keuse. 'n Opvolg onderhoud was gevoer met die deelnemer drie maande na die voltooiing van die studie. Die resultate was vasgelê op 'n Microsoft Excel 2010 data bladsy, waarna die data getabuleer en grafies uitgebeeld is. Resultate: Die gemiddelde pyn intensiteit van die deelnermer het effens toegeneem tydens die intervensie fase in vergelyking met die basislyn fase, maar het stabiel gebly tydens die uitwas fase. Die gemiddelde waargenome sitgemak het aanvanklik verswak tydens die intervensie fase, maar het later verbeter tydens die intervensie fase en het aangehou verbeter tydens die uitwas fase. Die waargenome sitgemak het groter verbetering getoon as die pyn intensiteit tydens die uitwas fase. Beide pyn intensiteit en waargenome sitgemak het verbetering getoon by die drie maande opvolg evaluasie, na voltooiing van die studie. Gevolgtrekking. Die vertikale hoogte aanpassing van die stoel en rekenaarskerm het nie die deelnemer se pyn intensiteit en waargenome sitgemak in vergelyking met die deelnemer se gewone werkstasie parameters verbeter nie. Hierdie bevindinge is nie ten voordeel van die horisontale kykhoek nie. Nietemin, ondersteun die bevindinge van hierdie studie die gebruik van die "effens onder die horisontale" kykhoek as bevorderend om die pyn intensiteit te verminder en die sitgemak van 'n kantoorwerker te verbeter.