Mojtaba Jafarvand; Saeid Ahmadi; Ali Safari Variani; Sakineh Varmazyar
Abstract
Background: Awkward posture during work is one of the most critical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. A laptop desk fitting with users’ body dimensions plays a crucial role in maintaining proper posture and reducing musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to redesign and fabricate ...
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Background: Awkward posture during work is one of the most critical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. A laptop desk fitting with users’ body dimensions plays a crucial role in maintaining proper posture and reducing musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to redesign and fabricate a folding ergonomic laptop desk for college students.Methods: In this experimental applied study, two hundred and seven college students were considered participants to design an ergonomic laptop desk and fifty students for posture evaluation. Six anthropometric dimensions were measured: height, the height of elbows in the sitting position, elbow-elbow breadth, the length and height of both knees in the cross-legged sitting posture, and the length of the elbow-fingers. Then, two best selling laptop desks were selected and the RULA method assessed laptop users’ posture. Finally, using students’ anthropometric dimensions (n=207), a new laptop desk was designed and built in 2017.Results: The height of our designed laptop desk is adjustable (range of 20-28 cm), with a variable inclination of the desk (0- 34 degrees). It is possible to shorten or lengthen desk legs (48-72 cm), and a special plate of the mouse (19×46 cm) supports both elbows on the sides of the desk. RULA method showed action level 3, which required early change in desks 1 and 2.Conclusion: Applying user›s and expert opinions, measuring users› body dimensions, and applying those dimensions in design and construction can play a significant role in improving and correcting the laptop›s desks so that it could result in suitable posture in students.
Toktam Balandeh; Mohsen razeghi; Zahra Zamanian
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 89-94
Abstract
Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, ...
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Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, race, ethnicity and age, taking into account ergonomic and anthropometric principles. The aim of this study was to determine anthropometric characteristics of microscope users and provide a regression model for anthropometric dimensions. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric dimensions (18 dimensions) of the microscope users (N=174; 78 males and 96 females) in Shiraz were measured. Instruments included a Studio meter, 2 type calipers, adjustable seats, a 40-cm ruler, a tape measure, and scales. The study data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20. Results: The means of male and female microscope users’ age were 31.64±8.86 and 35±10.9 years, respectively and their height were 161.03±6.87cm and 174.81±5.45cm, respectively. The results showed that sitting and standing eye height and sitting horizontal range of accessibility had a significant correlation with stature. Conclusion: The established anthropometric database can be used as a source for designing workstations for working with microscopes in this group of users. The regression analysis showed that three dimensions, i.e. standing eye height, sitting eye height, and horizontal range of accessibility sitting had a significant correlation with stature. Therefore, given one’s stature, these dimensions can be obtained with less measurement.
