Healthy Sitting

Healthy Sitting This brochure provides you with up-to-date information on sitting and tells you about Girsberger chairs’ contributions towards healthy sitting. Health and a seated position are not inconsistent with each other. Although the aim of this brochure is to help you improve your comfort and to show you the correct way of using your office chair, we also hope to awaken your enthusiasm for sitting. 4 6 10 10 12 14 16 17 18 1. The problem facing frequent sitters 2. Anatomy and function of the vertebral column 3. Ergonomics and sitting 4. Focus on the relation between ergonomics and the...

1 The problem facing fr equ e n t sitter s Does sitting damage the body? You may already have experienced neck pain, back tension, lack of concentration and fatigue; these are complaints that can often occur during a working day. The modern world of work has brought about the change from Homo erectus to the so-called Homo sedens (fig. 1). We sit to work, we sit to drive, and we sit during our free time – on the sofa watching TV, at the movies, at the theatre. We have become a society of sitters, without enough exercise. At the same time, backache now counts as one of health care’s greatest problems....

Life is movement The human being was created for movement. Movement boosts the metabolism, which in its turn nourishes the intervertebral discs and encourages the supply of blood (perfusion) to the muscular tissues. Lack of exercise causes deterioration in various parts of the body (bones, muscles, cartilage, nerve cells), whereas movement helps them to develop. The motto “Use it, or lose it” applies. In the end, every static position – be it a standing, lying or sitting one – will lead to metabolic stagnation. Not only do desk workers suffer from loss of well-being and health through lack of...

2 An a to my a n d function of th e ve r te b r a l c o lumn The vertebral column is one of the body’s most stable structures. It is made up of hard bones – the vertebrae – and the intervertebral discs and joints give it both strength and flexibility. Additional stability is provided by firm tendons, taut ligaments and strong muscles. The vertebral column performs three important functions for mankind: Posture: In its capacity as central axis of the body, the vertebral column and corresponding muscles of the back stabilize a human’s upright posture. Movement: a fascinating construction allows...

Fibrous ring Core The cervical vertebrae The thoracic vertebrae 4 The lumbar vertebrae 5 5 3 6 7

Muscles allow us to retain position and to move Muscles are the active part of the musculoskeletal system. An upright position and movements of the spine are made possible by the muscles of the back. In order to obtain a clearer picture of the complex interaction between vertebrae, ligaments, intervertebral discs, and muscles, one can compare the vertebral column to the mast of a ship, vertically secured by ropes (muscles) to the hull of the ship (pelvis) (fig. 7). If the system is well balanced, then the mast is perpendicular. The pelvis provides a base for the vertebral column and makes the...

Recommendations Recommendations for healthy sitting are as follows: During active sitting and position changing, the muscles are used dynamically. In addition, by continuously returning to an upright position in which the vertebral column regains its natural S-shape, the sitter distributes pressure evenly over the intervertebral discs. 9

3 Er g o n o m i c s a n d sit t i n g 4 Focus on the relation between ergonomics and the chair What are ergonomics? The term ‘ergonomics’ is composed of the Greek words ergon (work) and nomos (law). Ergonomics are the scientific study of the legitimacy of human working conditions. One of this science’s most important duties is to adapt machinery, operating controls, tools, and work environments so that they comply with human needs. The described structure and functions of the vertebral column, the intervertebral discs and the muscles of the back, make it possible for us to determine what the...

The level of ergonomic relation and relevant user behaviour Healthy sitting can therefore develop when ideal ergonomic conditions are coupled with ideal use. To focus solely on the ergonomic conditions offered by the chair – a relationlinked aspect – is not enough. In order to be able to make the correct adjustments and use the chair in the best possible way, it is equally important that each of the chair’s functions are correctly understood. This means that a comprehensive concept for health, efficiency, and comfort at the workplace must take both the extent of ergonomic relation and that of...

5 Healthy sitting – focus on user behaviour An office chair designed in accordance with ergonomic principles does not guarantee that its user will not have trouble if he uses it frequently. The chair will only offer favourable conditions for healthy sitting in combination with a health-conscious attitude on the part of the user. On the impossibility of sitting “correctly” The often-heard allegation that sitting in the “wrong” way will damage the vertebral column and subject the intervertebral disc to increased wear is probably incorrect. However, if there is no “wrong” way of sitting, there is...

The following promotes healthy sitting Correctly adjusted and attuned chair functions (backrest height, back support force, seat height, height of armrests etc.) and the other workplace elements (desk, height of monitor screen, keyboard etc.) are conducive to an ideal individual sitting position. A well considered and healthy (beneficial to the spine) way of sitting (upright, supported, mobile) prevents detrimental pressure on the intervertebral discs and static overtaxation of the muscles. Frequent changes in working position (e.g. dynamic sitting and standing) guard against constant overtaxation....