A Study on Usage of Classroom Desks and Chairs by Teenagers.
- Author:
Jae Ho MOON
1
;
June Su PARK
;
Yeoun Seung KANG
;
Ki Jung BAE
;
Hyo Sun LEE
;
Sung Ki KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Desks;
Chairs;
Pain;
Spine curvature;
Growing physique
- MeSH:
Adolescent*;
Animals;
Education;
Elbow;
Female;
Humans;
Kyphosis;
Lordosis;
Male;
Physical Examination;
Posture;
Scoliosis;
Shoulder;
Spine
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine
1998;22(3):711-716
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the compatability of high school students' desks and chairs to the fittness of their physique, to examine the factors related the posture and pain while they use the classroom desks and chairs, and to analyze the curvature of spine in sitting position. METHOD: Measurements of the dimensions of desks and chairs and a written survey to question students' habits regarding to the usage of classroom desks and chairs along with the physical examinations of spine including the analysis of spine curvature in sitting position with an electrogoniometer. RESULTS: Seven hundred forty nine among 831 male students, and 1,017 among 1,074 female students, complained of discomforts associated with the usage of classroom desks and chiairs. An examination of spine in sitting position using an electrogoniometer showed that both male and female subjects displayed the spine curvatures in the order of thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and scoliosis. All subjects displayed pain in the order of low back(38.8%), posterior neck(23.9%), shoulder and elbow joints(15.8%), and buttock(15.7%). CONCLUSION: The study revealed an urgent need for the adaptation of classroom desks and chairs according to the growing physique of the adolescents. A majority of the teenaged subjects experienced the discomfort from the use of improper funiture and a poor posture. Authors highly recommend a formal education to the students regarding the importance of proper posture and the usage of adjustable desks and chairs.
