Affiliations: [a] Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE | [b] Department of Industrial Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA | [c] Interior Architecture and Design Program, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Salaheddine Bendak, Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, University of Sharjah, PO Box 27272, Sharjah, UAE. Tel.: +971 6 5053918; Fax: +971 6 5053963; E-mail: sbendak@sharjah.ac.ae
Abstract: Background:In many developing countries, anthropometric measures are rarely available and dimensions of school furniture are either based on anthropometric measures from developed countries or are arbitrarily determined. Objective:The purpose of this study was to ergonomically assess classroom furniture dimensions in United Arab Emirates as compared to students' anthropometric measures. Methods:Relevant anthropometric dimensions of a sample of 200 grade 6 students were measured in two large schools in Dubai and Sharjah. Dimensions of furniture used by these students were also measured and compared to their anthropometric measures. Results:Results show that there was a major mismatch between many anthropometric measures and classroom furniture dimensions. Conclusions:There is a great discrepancy between furniture dimensions and anthropometrics measures of students. To ensure postural comfort. a new set of furniture dimensions for grade 6 classrooms in is suggested based on anthropometric dimensions of students.
