Mismatch of Classroom Chair and Schoolchildren Body Dimensions

The purpose of this study was to examine possible mismatch between the schoolchildren body dimensions and the classroom chair they use. A total of 74 fourth- through sixth-grade students in a single primary school in Riyadh participated in the study. The participants' ages ranged from 9 to 12 years. Anthropometric measurements including popliteal height and buttock-popliteal length were gathered in several physical education classes. In addition, the furniture dimensions were measured for the only one style chair that is used in the classes of the three participated grades. These dimensions included the seat height as well as the seat depth. Based on the information about student body dimensions and the chair dimensions, measures of fit or mismatch were constructed. The data indicate a substantial degree of mismatch between the students' bodily dimensions and the classroom chair available to them. Fewer than 11 % of the students can find an acceptable fit chair. Most students are sitting with seats that are too high or too deep. It is concluded that there is a high level of mismatch between the chair dimensions and the anthropometric characteristics of the primary school students. Based on the evidence presented, many fourth through sixth graders must endure seating arrangements in their classroom that are not conducive to learning