Studies indicate that musculoskeletal diseases or disorders (MSDs) are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting millions of workers.
A mismatch between anthropometric (the measurement of human body size, shape, and proportions) design and workplace or classroom furniture can contribute to MSDs.
To investigate this, a study was conducted by the Department of Wood and Science Technology to examine the match and mismatch between the anthropometry of students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the dimensions of the furniture they use during studies.
The research involved participants aged 17 to 28 years, with the majority being female (61%).
The study randomly selected 407 students without physical challenges or prior records of musculoskeletal disorders for investigation.
Published in the Journal Archives of Occupational Health, findings of the study revealed that there was a high level of discomfort with the use of the current classroom furniture among students on campus.
There were significant mismatches between the dimensions of plastic and wooden classroom furniture and the anthropometric profiles of students.
The most frequently reported MSDs were upper back pain (71.40%), lower back pain (58.30%), and neck pain (51.90%).
Although 56.40% of students were uncertain whether their MSDs were directly caused by classroom furniture, the results suggested a strong correlation between student-furniture mismatches and musculoskeletal discomfort.
The research lead, Prof. K.A. Afrifa, recommended adjustments to classroom furniture dimensions to improve students' posture and prevent MSDs.
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