The Ergonomics of Perry Chairs for Canadian University Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Perry chairs are objectively and subjectively comfortable for Simon Fraser University students. Purposive sampling occurred within an undergraduate Kinesiology class (BPK303) to ensure students from both ends of the height range of university students were captured. Students were asked to rate their subjective comfort after sitting in Perry chairs for two hours. Subsequently, they had six key anthropometric measures taken: hip breadth, buttock-to-scapula height, lumbar support height, hip angle, buttock-to-popliteal length and popliteal height. 25 BPK 303 student’s anthropometrics were collected but only 16 had completed a subjective survey evaluating comfort during a two-hour lecture. Results showed that participants reported no significant change in their subjective comfort ratings after the lecture. However, anthropometric measures revealed only the seat breadth was found to be ergonomically adequate. None of the participants were accommodated by all of the chair dimensions. Additionally, participants’ change in subjective comfort ratings were found to not be correlated to their anthropometric measures (p-value=0.84). In conclusion, it is recommended that future studies increase the duration and specificity of subjective comfort ratings taken in Perry chairs, as well as sample size for anthropometric measures. Moreover, further research should be conducted on the benefits of adjustable chairs and their ability to accommodate university students.