Saha Anik Kumar, Jahin Md Abrar, Rafiquzzaman Md, Mridha M F
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Khulna, 9203, Bangladesh.
Advanced Machine Intelligence Research (AMIR) Lab, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh.
Heliyon. 2024 Jul 9;10(14):e34063. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34063. eCollection 2024 Jul 30.
Many studies have shown that ergonomically designed furniture improves productivity and well-being. As computers have become a part of students' academic lives, they will continue to grow in the future. We propose anthropometric-based furniture dimensions that are suitable for university students to improve computer laboratory ergonomics. We collected data from 380 participants and analyzed 11 anthropometric measurements, correlating them with 11 furniture dimensions. Two types of furniture were found and studied in different university computer laboratories: (1) a non-adjustable chair with a non-adjustable table and (2) an adjustable chair with a non-adjustable table. The mismatch calculation showed a significant difference between existing furniture dimensions and anthropometric measurements, indicating that 7 of the 11 existing furniture dimensions need improvement. The one-way ANOVA test with a significance level of 5% also showed a significant difference between the anthropometric data and existing furniture dimensions. All 11 dimensions were determined to match students' anthropometric data. The proposed dimensions were found to be more compatible and showed reduced mismatch percentages for nine furniture dimensions and nearly zero mismatches for seat width, backrest height, and under the hood for both males and females compared to the existing furniture dimensions. The proposed dimensions of the furniture set with adjustable seat height showed slightly improved match results for seat height and seat-to-table clearance, which showed zero mismatches compared with the non-adjustable furniture set. The table width and table depth dimensions were suggested according to Barnes and Squires' ergonomic work envelope model, considering hand reach. The positions of the keyboard and mouse are also suggested according to the work envelope. The monitor position and viewing angle were proposed according to OSHA guidelines. This study suggests that the proposed dimensions can improve comfort levels, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among students. Further studies on the implementation and long-term effects of the proposed dimensions in real-world computer laboratory settings are recommended.
许多研究表明，符合人体工程学设计的家具能提高工作效率和增进健康。随着计算机已成为学生学术生活的一部分，其在未来还会持续发展。我们提出了基于人体测量学的家具尺寸，适合大学生使用，以改善计算机实验室的人体工程学设计。我们收集了380名参与者的数据，并分析了11项人体测量数据，将它们与11项家具尺寸进行关联。在不同大学的计算机实验室中发现并研究了两种类型的家具：（1）配有不可调节桌子的不可调节椅子；（2）配有不可调节桌子的可调节椅子。不匹配计算表明，现有家具尺寸与人体测量数据之间存在显著差异，这表明11项现有家具尺寸中的7项需要改进。显著性水平为5%的单因素方差分析也表明，人体测量数据与现有家具尺寸之间存在显著差异。所有11项尺寸均被确定与学生的人体测量数据相匹配。与现有家具尺寸相比，发现所提议的尺寸更具兼容性，9项家具尺寸的不匹配百分比降低，男性和女性的座椅宽度、靠背高度以及机箱下方的不匹配率几乎为零。座椅高度可调节的家具套装所提议的尺寸在座椅高度和座椅与桌子间距方面的匹配结果略有改善，与不可调节家具套装相比，这两项的不匹配率为零。根据巴恩斯和斯奎尔斯的人体工程学工作空间模型，并考虑到手可触及的范围，建议了桌子宽度和桌子深度尺寸。还根据工作空间建议了键盘和鼠标的位置。根据职业安全与健康管理局（OSHA）的指导方针，提出了显示器的位置和视角。本研究表明，所提议的尺寸可以提高舒适度，降低学生患肌肉骨骼疾病的风险。建议进一步研究所提议尺寸在实际计算机实验室环境中的实施情况及其长期影响。
