Match between dimensions of classroom desk and chair and anthropometric data of primary school students: A case study of a school in Songkhla

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare percent match of furniture sizes with the anthropometric characteristics
of primary students. The sample consisted of 360 students (175 male, 185 female). The anthropometric
characteristics of students were measured with a portable anthropometer. Eight anthropometric measures and
six dimensions of desks and chairs were measured. The anthropometric measures of the students and the
furniture dimensions were compared by considering the ergonomic principles in order to identify any
incompatibility between them. According to the evaluation, it can be concluded that seat height (SH), seat to
desk height (SDH), seat depth (SD), upper edge of backrest (UEB), seat to desk clearance (SDC), and seat
width (SW) of the classroom furniture matched to the student’s anthropometric characteristics with 3.61% 5.57%
15.56% 36.72% 81.02% and 98.08%, respectively. The furniture dimensions were recommended ergonomically
in order to increase percentage match. With new proposed dimensions, it resulted in increasing of percentage
match of SH, SDH, SD, UEB, SDC and SW to 66.48% 65.64% 62.68% 100% 98.52% และ 99.52%, respectively.
The results of this study highlight the fact that the dimensions of existing classroom furniture should be redesigned
based on ergonomics concern in order to decrease a level of mismatch which may result in anatomical problem
of students in future.