Workplace Ergonomics

TWO BROAD SEATING CONCEPTS ARE MOSTLY IN USE.

ORGANISATIONS today are mostly technology-driven, but they need to look at how their people are faring in such environments and focus on office ergonomics. In fact, ergonomics and its implications on the body are gaining importance as an area of study in physiotherapy. There are broadly two seating concepts. One is the kneeling chair concept, or the Balans, developed in the 1970s, and the other is the conventional seating or Mandal seating, attributed to Danish surgeon A.C. Mandal. Also, research is on to dispel the notion that standing is better than sitting. Standing for long hours could be bad for the spine as it can cause the pelvis to rotate forward. It may lead to lumbar lordosis, an inward curving in the lower spine region and a bend towards the abdomen, which can affect one’s movement, say experts like Bangera.