Affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy, Hardin-Simmons
University, Box 16065, Abilene, TX 79698-6065, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dennis G. O'Connell, Ph.D., PT,
Hardin-Simmons University, Department of Physical Therapy, Box 16065, Abilene,
TX 79698-6065, USA. Tel.: +1 915 670 5827; Fax: +1 915 670 5868; E-mail:
oconnell@hsutx.edu
Abstract: {\it Objective:} The purpose of this study was to compare
anthropometric measurements of children/adolescent (6th grade -- 8th grade) and
use these measurements to determine fit by ethnicity and grade level across
three common classroom desks and chairs. {\it Study design:} Eighty-eight Caucasian-American (CA), 65
Mexican-American (MA), and 58 African-American (AA) 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
participated in the study (n = 211 students). Students were seated (shoeless)
on a horizontal seating surface with an adjustable footrest to obtain
90° angles at the hips, knees, and ankles. Standing height and five
seated measurements were obtained using a stadiometer. Desk measurements were
obtained from the most common desks used for each grade level. Six measurements
(seat height, seat depth, seat slope, desk height, desk clearance, desk slope)
were obtained with a tape measure and angle finder. Mismatch was
operationalized apriori to determine fit of student dimensions and desks. {\it Results:} Multivariate analysis (SPSS 10.1) revealed
significant differences in anthropometric dimensions at each grade level for
ethnicity and gender (p < 0.05). Only one 6th grade MA male fit both seat
height and depth criteria. One-way ANOVA's and Scheffe post hoc tests revealed
significant differences between fit by ethnicity for chair 1 and chair 2. No
students experienced knee/desk clearance problems. Only one student was able to
find a desk surface that did not exceed their maximum functional elbow height.
{\it Conclusions:} AA's had longer lower extremity lengths versus
their ethnic counterparts at all grade levels. Subjects did not fit chairs and
desks regardless of age or ethnicity. Ethnicity played a significant role in
seat height fit for two of the three chairs. These disparities may create a
generation with an increased incidence of musculoskeletal problems carrying
over to adulthood and the adult workplace.
