Tags

Type your tag names separated by a space and hit enter

Mismatch of classroom furniture and student body dimensions: empirical findings and health implications.
J Adolesc Health. 1999 Apr; 24(4):265-73.JA

Abstract

PURPOSE

To examine possible mismatch between the individual body dimensions of students and the classroom furniture they use.

METHODS

A total of 74 (37 male and 37 female) sixth-through eighth-grade students in a Michigan school district participated in the study; their ages ranged from 10 years, 11 months to 14 years, 3 months. Anthropometric measurements (including elbow height, shoulder height, upper arm length, knee height, popliteal height, buttock-popliteal length, and stature) were gathered in several physical education classes, each during a single session. In addition, the furniture dimensions were measured for three styles of chairs and three styles of desks prevalent in the students' classrooms. Based on both the information about student body dimensions and furniture dimensions, measures of fit or mismatch were constructed.

RESULTS

The data indicate a substantial degree of mismatch between the students' bodily dimensions and the classroom furniture available to them. Fewer than 20% of students can find acceptable chair/desk combinations. Most students are sitting in chairs with seats that are too high or too deep and at desks that are too high. Even after controlling for body stature, girls are less likely to find fitting chairs.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the evidence presented, many sixth through eighth graders must endure seating arrangements in their classrooms that are not conducive to learning.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors+Show Affiliations

Parcells C
College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
Stommel M
No affiliation info available
Hubbard RP
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdolescentBody ConstitutionChildErgonomicsFemaleHumansInterior Design and FurnishingsMalePostureSchoolsUnited States

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

10227346

Citation

Parcells, C, et al. "Mismatch of Classroom Furniture and Student Body Dimensions: Empirical Findings and Health Implications." The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, vol. 24, no. 4, 1999, pp. 265-73.
Parcells C, Stommel M, Hubbard RP. Mismatch of classroom furniture and student body dimensions: empirical findings and health implications. J Adolesc Health. 1999;24(4):265-73.
Parcells, C., Stommel, M., & Hubbard, R. P. (1999). Mismatch of classroom furniture and student body dimensions: empirical findings and health implications. The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 24(4), 265-73.
Parcells C, Stommel M, Hubbard RP. Mismatch of Classroom Furniture and Student Body Dimensions: Empirical Findings and Health Implications. J Adolesc Health. 1999;24(4):265-73. PubMed PMID: 10227346.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Mismatch of classroom furniture and student body dimensions: empirical findings and health implications. AU - Parcells,C, AU - Stommel,M, AU - Hubbard,R P, PY - 1999/5/5/pubmed PY - 1999/5/5/medline PY - 1999/5/5/entrez SP - 265 EP - 73 JF - The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine JO - J Adolesc Health VL - 24 IS - 4 N2 - PURPOSE: To examine possible mismatch between the individual body dimensions of students and the classroom furniture they use. METHODS: A total of 74 (37 male and 37 female) sixth-through eighth-grade students in a Michigan school district participated in the study; their ages ranged from 10 years, 11 months to 14 years, 3 months. Anthropometric measurements (including elbow height, shoulder height, upper arm length, knee height, popliteal height, buttock-popliteal length, and stature) were gathered in several physical education classes, each during a single session. In addition, the furniture dimensions were measured for three styles of chairs and three styles of desks prevalent in the students' classrooms. Based on both the information about student body dimensions and furniture dimensions, measures of fit or mismatch were constructed. RESULTS: The data indicate a substantial degree of mismatch between the students' bodily dimensions and the classroom furniture available to them. Fewer than 20% of students can find acceptable chair/desk combinations. Most students are sitting in chairs with seats that are too high or too deep and at desks that are too high. Even after controlling for body stature, girls are less likely to find fitting chairs. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the evidence presented, many sixth through eighth graders must endure seating arrangements in their classrooms that are not conducive to learning. SN - 1054-139X UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/10227346/Mismatch_of_classroom_furniture_and_student_body_dimensions:_empirical_findings_and_health_implications_ L2 - https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1054-139X(98)00113-X DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -