Steven A. Field, MD, is a respected Tampa, Florida, high school teacher who has taught a variety of science subjects within the School District of Hillsborough County. In addition to his role as a Florida educator, Steven A. Field, MD, has a background in human ergonomic research that led to a number of national presentations and corporate ergonomic committee appointments.
Within an office environment, static postures and sitting for prolonged periods of time is associated with weight issues, circulatory and cardiovascular conditions, and low back disorders. Repetitive motion and awkward positions can also result in musculoskeletal conditions such as epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
A Cornell University study brought focus to task seating and the major issue of standard desktops being designed to accommodate the elbow height of people who are 6’4” tall. With individuals often struggling to comfortably reach computer setups, a number of health risks arise related to sitting high in the chair and shrugging the shoulders.
Properly adjusting one's task chair involves keeping the backrest unlocked and tensioned in such a way that flexible movement is accommodated. In addition, the seat pan should be set up to allow two inches or more of clearance between the back of the knees and the edge of the seat. The arm rest should be set up no higher than elbow height when seated.
Another concern is that the ideal position of the keyboard is not on the desktop, but on the lap, in the same position as a laptop would be held. In cases where the keyboard is on the desktop, it should be positioned as close to the body as possible, with an articulating keyboard support used to provide the proper angle.
Within an office environment, static postures and sitting for prolonged periods of time is associated with weight issues, circulatory and cardiovascular conditions, and low back disorders. Repetitive motion and awkward positions can also result in musculoskeletal conditions such as epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
A Cornell University study brought focus to task seating and the major issue of standard desktops being designed to accommodate the elbow height of people who are 6’4” tall. With individuals often struggling to comfortably reach computer setups, a number of health risks arise related to sitting high in the chair and shrugging the shoulders.
Properly adjusting one's task chair involves keeping the backrest unlocked and tensioned in such a way that flexible movement is accommodated. In addition, the seat pan should be set up to allow two inches or more of clearance between the back of the knees and the edge of the seat. The arm rest should be set up no higher than elbow height when seated.
Another concern is that the ideal position of the keyboard is not on the desktop, but on the lap, in the same position as a laptop would be held. In cases where the keyboard is on the desktop, it should be positioned as close to the body as possible, with an articulating keyboard support used to provide the proper angle.
