Comparing the effects of two school workstations on spine positions and mobility, and opinions on the workstations – A 2-year controlled intervention

A wide variety of conventional design workstations are used in schools and workstations have often been described as inappropriate for children's body dimensions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of saddle chairs and desks with comfort curve for the body on schoolchildren's spine positions and mobility and opinions of workstations compared to conventional workstations. During the first 12-month study period, the number of participants was 98, 48 in the intervention and 50 in the control group. Since the older control group (9th graders, n = 29) decided against participation after the first 12 months, the number of participants in the entire follow-up of 24 months, was 47 (27 intervention and 20 control participants). During the follow-up, the intervention group used new chairs and desks while the controls used conventional workstations. Spine positions and mobility were measured and both groups completed a questionnaire, concerning opinions of workstations. The results indicated that no difference between groups was found when comparing workstation effects on spine positions and mobility during the whole follow-up. Schoolchildren preferred the ergonomic workstations to the conventional workstations during the first year (p < 0.001), but no difference was seen during the second year.

Relevance to industry

: The present results indicated that new design workstations had no effects on spine positions compared to conventional workstations. However, some intra-group positive effects were observed among intervention group. Therefore, the authors believe further development of both school workstations and school environment should be encouraged to ensure better long-term back health in children.