دانلود رایگان ترجمه مقاله رابطه بین ابعاد صندلی و اختلالات عضلانی اسکلتی در بین دانشجویان زن (نشریه Rums 2016)

رابطه بین ابعاد صندلی و اختلالات عضلانی اسکلتی در بین دانشجویان زن در یک مرکز آکادمیک

The relationship between chair dimensions and musculoskeletal disorders among female students in one academic branch

Abstract

Background: Individuals, who spend most of their time sitting, are at 30% more risk of suffering from lumbar disc than other people. One of the causes of pain in the lumbar region is musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs are the most common and most costly injuries in occupational, administrative, and academic environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between chair dimensions and the prevalence of MSDs in female students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 female students of Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran. Dimensions of chairs (width and length of chair seat, backrest length, and etc.) were measured using a tape measure and goniometer. Lordosis and kyphosis were evaluated using a Gravity line. Data were analyzed using chi-square test. All p values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The subjects’ mean age was 27.12 years and 50% of the subjects had normal BMI. There was no significant relationship between ergonomic dimensions of chairs and kyphosis abnormality (P < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between lordosis abnormality and height of backrest (P = 0.04), seat to ground height (P = 0.04), seat width (P = 0.02), height of armrest (P = 0.04), and armrest to seat height (P = 0.04). Conclusions: According to the results, the dimensions of chairs that were used in the university were not favorable. This could lead to the presentation of some MSDs. It is recommended that the anthropometric dimensions of the consumer society be considered before the purchasing of chairs.

۱ Introduction

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common and most costly occupational injuries, because they account for a third of work-related injuries every year (1, 2). The economic losses caused by these disorders affect individuals, organizations, and the society (3). It is estimated that direct and indirect costs of MSDs account for about 1% of the GDP of industrialized countries (4). MSDs are a global hidden epidemic (5). There is close relationship between MSDs and improper use of body mechanics. Factors such as bending and sitting are among the most important causes (6). Possible risk factors of MSDs include ergonomic pressure, BMI, sex, and disease (7, 8). The results of several studies suggest that women are at greater risk of MSDs than men (9-11). Bad posture due to use of inappropriate equipment at schools is among the most important risk factors of MSDs (12). Failure to observe ergonomic principles in the workplace can lead to higher incidence of spinal disorders (13, 14). Back pain is one of* the most common disorders and 60% to 80% of women experience it throughout their lives (1). Lumbar disorders are the most important causes of absenteeism in the workplace (15). Postural abnormalities are adverse changes that deform skeletal structure of the body’s natural posture stature (16). If these abnormalities are not recognized and treated early, they will have adverse effects on the physiological function of the body such as kyphosis effect on the respiratory tract (17) or psychological and social consequences such as the relationship of kyphosis with depression (18). Natural spinal curves include both lordosis and kyphosis. There are four types of curves in the natural spine (cervical and lumbar lordosis, thoracic, and sacrum kyphosis) in order to preserve balance, flexibility, absorption, and pressure distribution. There are abnormalities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis in the abnormal spine (19). The spine may change during life due to illness or wrong habits. Any changes in the spine lead to postural loss and body imbalance (20). Posture is defined as a combination of the position of joints relative to each other at one time. Each joint position will affect other joints’ positions. Correct posture is when the lowest pressure is placed on joints and muscle activity is minimal. Postures that put pressure on joints are commonly known as poor posture (21).Ergonomy is the adaptation of the human workplace and life environment with anthropometric indices. Life tools and equipment can be designed so that their longterm use will not result in MSDs or malformations (22). The human body takes different states during hours of the day; some of these states lead to lesions and abnormalities over long-term repetitions (23). Non-compliance of equipment that are used continually with ergonomic standards and mismatch between the anthropometric characteristics of users can lead to structural and physiological disorders (24). Sadeqzadeh studied the correlation between physical dimensions of 52 students of 18-26 years of age and dimensions of available chairs in their faculty. Studies on anthropometric variables have indicated that there are differences between men and women in terms of shoulder width, seatback width, hip-popliteal length, and seat depth (25). Kalamklay et al. evaluated the anthropometric characteristics of 300 girls and boys of 18-25 years of age. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of weight, structure, and physical dimensions and the differences had not been considered in designing school equipment (26). Students spend much of their time at the university (27); paying attention to comfortable and suitable furniture seems necessary for the maintaining their health and raising the education quality (28). Since the anthropometric data of men are used primarily in designing workstations, these stations are deemed inappropriate for women from the ergonomic point of view (29). Therefore, the ergonomic dimensions of chairs used in training centers are designed based on anthropometric characteristics of men, and using inappropriate desks and chairs may cause MSDs (29). Thus, this study aimed to determine the relationship between chair dimensions and MSDs among female students.