News releases - Student puts back into 'chaire for life'
17 June 2008
A chair that promises to prevent back problems among a growing generation of computer kids has been designed by a Southampton Solent University student.
Daniel Rich came up with the adjustable chair for his final-year BSc (Hons) Design Technology project, after struggling for years with his own back problems.
"I've had back pain for a great deal of my life, and I believe that it stems from me hunching over my work on unsuitable chairs as a youngster," said Daniel, from Plymouth.
"I noticed that children – including my four-year-old nephew - using computers in schools and home offices – were also sitting very badly as they stretched towards the keyboards.
"As many young children spend huge amounts of time playing computer games on furniture designed for adults, I realised a chair that adjusted from childhood to adulthood would help prevent back problems caused through poor posture."
Daniel discovered that although ergonomic chairs for children are available on the market, there is no chair that can be adjusted to accommodate both adults and children when sitting at an adult-sized desk.
He came up with a protocol for an adjustable chair and tested it on adults and children, including his own computer-game loving nephew.
Ergonomics consultant, and Southampton Solent University lecturer, Alison Messenger, said: "Daniel's chair makes a huge difference to how adults and children sit at the computer. Good posture can be particularly difficult for children, especially if they are sat for hours at a computer where the height of the desk is designed for adults. Daniel, who knows only too well the misery of back pain, has tackled this subject and come up with an effective and workable product."
Daniel's chair featured at Southampton Solent University's Technology Degree Show, on Friday, 13 June, which also included final year projects from Audio Technology; Computer Networking; Film and Video Technology; Media Technology; Music Studio Technology; Electronic, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering; and Engineering with Business.
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