Ergonomic Chair Guidelines

Ergonomic chairs prevent injury to muscles in the legs, back and shoulders. Many people spend hours every day sitting in their desk chair performing their jobs. Stress to the muscles in the legs, back and shoulders can be caused by awkward seating positions, overreaching and repetitive motions. But there are some good guidelines when choosing an ergonomically correct chair, including the padding, chair measurements and your general posture than can help alleviate or eliminate discomfort.

Ergonomic Chair Functions

• The function of an ergonomic chair will improve the "productivity, health, safety and comfort of people" according to the National Health Institute. This is accomplished by allowing a person to move freely without impeding their tasks. Using the proper chair reduces pain and injury associated with repeatedly having to put strain on muscles through repetitive movement.

Chair Padding

• A chair seat and back should be padded using breathable fabric that allows air circulation between the chair fabric and clothing. Your chair should not be too soft and provide firm support. If a seat is too soft it will cause your body to adjust, causing strain on your muscles, resulting in fatigue.

Chair Measurements

• Chair measurements include the seat height, width, depth and the rests for the back and arms. The height of your seat should be 16 to 20.5 inches, depending on your height. Your thighs should be horizontal and lower legs vertical with your feet resting flat on the floor. Your elbows should be at a 90-degree angle. The seat width should be adjustable allowing it to slant 0 to 10 degrees. Your chair should also swivel. The backrest should provide lower back support and adjust in angle and in height. It should allow for a 90-degree angle between the spine and thighs. Armrests should not restrict movement and are optional.

Chair Recommendations

• Guidelines for chair recommendations are available though the American National Standards Institute and Environmental Health and Safety Center. An ergonomic chair will allow you to sit with your back against the chair while supporting your lower back. The chair should adjust so that your lower back keeps its natural curve. Your feet should not dangle freely and the chair should lower if it's required. If you are tall, the chair should raise so that your knees are not too close to your chin. The base of the chair should have four or five legs so that it will not tip over with movement.

Considerations

• Chair posture is as important as the chair itself. While typing or performing other work-related tasks, you should not use the arm rests. Your feet should rest flat on the floor and not on your chair legs with legs uncrossed. You should sit straight in your chair and not slouch since this can cause back pain. There are also other items that assist in correcting posture such as a footrest, document holders and wristrests that will support your wrists while typing on a keyboard.