Evaluation of classroom furniture design for Ecuadorian university students: An anthropometry-based approach

Abstract

It is widely known that students' exposure to poor postures due to inappropriate classroom furniture design may contribute to the increase of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders symptoms that if not identified on time could lead to severe health issues. In this context, due to the unavailability of scientific studies related to this topic in Ecuador, the aim of this research is twofold. The first aim was to define the classroom furniture design parameters' dimensions for university students according to relevant anthropometric information. The second aim is to conduct a preliminary diagnostic of the appropriateness of classroom furniture currently used in Ecuadorian universities to students' anthropometric characteristics. The obtained results are particularly relevant as the ten design parameters here proposed could be the starting point to the creation of a specific Ecuadorian standard to regulate classroom furniture design for university students. That would ensure domestic and foreign manufacturers could offer furniture more secure and adequate to the anthropometric characteristics of the university population of Ecuador. On the other hand, the preliminary study found evidence that all the examined classroom furniture presented mismatches in at least five design parameters, and students exposed to them over the past twelve months had a high prevalence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in the hips, back, thighs, and neck.