Preview
  • Reclined sitting has low activity
  • The middle two postures are more active
  • Standing needs the most effort

ANSI/HFES 100-2007, Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstations

Audio Transcription

Different work postures can be understood by the amount of activity or effort they require. Most people will choose a posture that requires the least amount of work. 

This diagram shows increasing postural effort, ranging from the least activity on the left, to the highest effort to stand on the right.

Reclined Sitting requires the least amount of postural mm activity, much like leisure sitting, and this posture is what many presume to be ”ergonomic seating.”

The middle two postures are Upright Sitting (second from the left), and Declined Sitting (third from the left)

Note that the torso is upright in both of these figures

The important difference between the two middle postures is the height of the seat pan and the angle of the thigh. 

These upright postures are often ignored in the discussion about sitting or standing at work, and they are the focus of this course.  

The middle two upright torso postures can easily be sustained, provided there is good leg support, and the height of the seat pan can balance the size and strength of the body.

Standing needs the most effort, and has the least body support. 

For many people, using more effort to work can be a problem.

It may be unreasonable to ask people to go from reclined sitting with the least effort, and move to standing, which may be to work harder than needed.

Back to: Sample Course For Consultants