THE ERGONOMICS OF SEAT DESIGN IN LECTURE HALL AT FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES (FMHS), UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA (UPM)
Author: Nur Aisyah binti ALIAS, Yee Guan NG, Shamsul Bahri Md TAMRIN
Abstract: This is a cross-sectional study with the objective to determine the association between self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) and mismatch of the seats in lecture hall of Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). A total of 132 respondents (47 male and 85 female) whom were undergraduate students. Eight anthropometric and five furniture parameter dimensions were measured. Instruments used were questionnaire modified from Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Martyn anthropometer set, measuring tape, height scale and weighing scale. Findings showed 51.5% mismatch of seat height, 5.3% mismatch of seat depth, 94.7% mismatch of desk height and 18.2% mismatch of upper edge of back rest. For the prevalence of MSSs in the past seven (7) days, 61.4% reported low back pain followed by neck pain (50%) and upper back pain (43.9%). There was significant difference between genders in anthropometric body measurement. Significant association were found between MSSs and mismatch. Based on the findings, it is recommended that in the event of long lecture hour, intermittent break should be allowed for students to stretch, move or better yet assume different posture such as standing or walking.
Keywords: mismatch, seat design, anthropometry, MSDs