Pilot Design of Ergonomic Bench for the Elderly With Anthropometric Approach
Journal Title: Physical Treatments: Specific Physical Therapy Journal - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 3
Abstract
Purpose: With the global growth of elderly population, their increasing need to public and recreational spaces has become a novel challenge. Such spaces should be designed based on ergonomic principles in order to decrease their risk of injury. This research aimed to design an ergonomic bench for the elderly people with respect to their anthropometric dimensions. Methods: In this descriptive study, 90 older participants, 24 females and 66 males, aged over 60 years, were recruited by cluster sampling method. A trained ergonomists measured their 13 anthropometric dimensions based on ISO (7250-1:2008). The dimensions of the available benches in the parks were also measured. Then, the fitness of elderly’s anthropometric parameters were compared with the dimensions of the benches (N=100) in the parks. We also explored the problems and difficulties of the using benches by “future workshop technique”. A total of 45 elder subjects were participated in the workshop (recruited by convenience sampling method). They were asked about their problems in using the benches. Their comments and suggestion were sorted and prioritized. Then, using CATIA software and considering the proposed solutions, a pilot ergonomic bench was designed in accordance with the elder anthropometric dimensions. The descriptive and inferential analyses were done by SPSS V. 16. Results: Descriptive results of the anthropometrics dimensions of the older people including Mean, Standard Deviation (SD) as well as percentiles, frequency, cumulative frequency, percentage, Mean and SD for the dimensions of the benches were provided. The study results show a significant difference between the bench seating depth and elderly’s buttock-popliteal length, also between bench seating width and elderly’s buttock width, and finally between bench backrest height and elderly’s shoulder height. There was no significant difference between bench seating height of concrete benches and popliteal height dimension, as well as between elbow rest height of iron benches and arm support height. Conclusion: The elderly take undesirable postures during sitting on incompatible furniture (knee bending, trunk flexion, twisting, etc.).These unnatural postures impose physical strain on them. It is recommended that an anthropometric database of older adults be prepared so that new adjustable furniture can be designed based on these data.
Authors and Affiliations
Afsaneh Eivzi, Hamidreza Mokhtarinia
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP460883
- DOI 10.32598/ptj.7.3.123
- Views 112
- Downloads 0
Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Muscle Spasticity in Post-Stroke Patients: An Ultrasonography and Clinical-Base Study
Purpose: To investigate the effect of single session Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) over the ankle plantar flexor muscles on the spasticity, muscle architecture, and gait in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Th...
Investigation of Quality Gap in Physiotherapy Services in Public Clinics in Zahedan City, Iran Using SERVQUAL Model
Purpose: Providing better services in physiotherapy clinics, awareness of perception and expectation of clients in these clinics, and determination of the gap between these two components, are of utmost importance. This...
Prevalence Rate of Postural Damages, Disorders and Anomalies Among Computer Users
Purpose: Globalization of computer use in the past two decades has increased the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and different damages to computer users. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the prevalen...
Design of an Ergonomics Assessment Tool for Playroom of Preschool Children
Purpose: Children’s interaction with the environment considerably influences their growth. To create an environment that guarantees growth and development of children’s skills, children’s characteristics should be consid...
Pilot Design of Ergonomic Bench for the Elderly With Anthropometric Approach
Purpose: With the global growth of elderly population, their increasing need to public and recreational spaces has become a novel challenge. Such spaces should be designed based on ergonomic principles in order to decrea...