SITTING POSTURE AMONGST LEVEL ONE PRIMARY … fileand Bondolos, 2006; Lipardo et al., 2006; Murphy et al., 2003). Mismatch between anthropometric and Mismatch between anthropometric

Malaysian Journal of Creative Media, Design and Technology. Vol.1 No.4 2017

SITTINGPOSTUREAMONGSTLEVELONEPRIMARYSCHOOLCHILDREN(LOPS)

INPERLIS,KEDAHANDPULAUPINANGWahyuniMasyidahM.I.1

[email protected]

NoorAzlinaM.K.2

[email protected]

[email protected]

ABSTRACTThis study is a continuous studyof previouspaper (WahyuniMasyidah,NoorAzlina&MuhammadFauzi 2015). Based on the quantitative result of mismatch between anthropometric and chairdimensionsamongst LOPS show thatover96%didnot fit to school chairdimensionduring learningsessionintheclass,andonly4%werefittedtotheschoolchair inclass.Duetothemismatchresult,the aimof this paper is to reveal the qualitative result of the studywhich frequent types of sittingpostures that attribute to discomfort that have been identified amongst Level One PrimarySchoolchildren(LOPS)inKedahPerlisandPulauPinang.Thequalitativeanalysisconsist12respondentthatrandomlybeentakenbetween7to9yearsoldfromdifferentprimaryschoolinPerlis,KedahandPulau Pinang. It can be concluded that the sitting postures amongst LOPS could lead towardspermanentdamagetothebodyandjeopardizethechildren’shealth.Keywords:sittingpostures,discomfort,LOPS,health.

INTRODUCTIONMany studies have been done on the issues of mismatch between school children and classroomfurniture, however, all the studies shared the same result which showed that there is a mismatchbetweenthetwovariables(WahyuniMasyidah,NoorAzlina&MuhammadFauzi.,2013&2015,MohdAzuanK.etal.,2010,Castelluccietal.,2009;NurulAsyiqinetal.,2009,LuederandRice,2008;GouvaliandBondolos,2006;Lipardoetal.,2006;Murphyetal.,2003).Mismatchbetweenanthropometricandchair dimension could create several awkwardness of sitting position amongst schoolchildrenwhichmayleadpermanentdamagetothebody(Lipardoetal.,2006).AccordingtoWahyuniMasyidah,NoorAzlina&MuhammadFauzi(2015)statethatDepartmentStandardofMalaysiaconsideredchairiskeyrequirementinschoolbyissuingchairmeasurementinMS1788:2005FurnitureEducationalInstitutionSpecificationforStudent,Chairs,TablesandStools.However,NurulAsyiqinetal(2009)statethateventhoughMS1788:2005hadbeenpublished,thereisnospecificexplanationoffurnituredimensionforMalaysia schoolchildren, currently there is no standardization furniture dimension of Malaysiaschoolchildrenandtheimplementationconceptofergonomicdesignisstillnewpractice inMalaysia.Thesestatementsinlinewiththeresultshowninpreviousstudyofmismatchbetweenanthropometricand chair dimensions amongst LOPS byWahyuniMasyidah,NoorAzlina&Muhammad Fauzi (2015)where ithasbeenconductedat12differentgovernmentprimary schools inPerlis,KedahandPulauPinang.A totalof108LOPSagedbetween7 to9yearsoldwererandomlyselectedafterschoolandparentspermission involved in the research.The resultof thestudyshownasbelow (Table1), that


there are 13different dimensions of chairs revealed and2 types of chairs that used amongst LOPS,namelywoodenchairandplasticchair(Fig.1).Woodenchairwereusedinallprimaryschool,only2schoolwereusedplasticchairforLOPSofyear2andyear3.Generally,thedesignofwoodenchairofeach school appears to have similar design to each other, however the dimension are varied. ByadoptingquantitativemethodofGouvali&Boudolos(2005),thedataof13chairdimensionsand108anthropometric data of LOPS were analyzed by using SPSS, in order to find out the percentage ofmismatch between anthropometric and chair dimension amongst LOPS of Perlis, Kedah and PulauPinang.Due to no standardization chair dimension of primary school, therefore, the figure (table 2)shown that LOPS are prone to have awkward sitting posture and exposed to back pain illness. Theissuesofmismatchdoleadtopossiblenegativeimplicationofseatingposture(Castelluci,Molebroek&Viviani,2015;Parcells,Stommel&Hubbard,1999).

WoodenChair

SeatHeight

SeatWidth

SeatDepth

BackrestHeight

Year(T) School

A 33.7 38.5 38 31.5 Y1,Y3 SKMHB 34 36.5 32 29 Y1 SKBGC 36 38 35.4 31.5 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKDK

D 27 39 42 31.7 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKKS

E 38 38 38.5 32 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKSRF 38 38 41 31 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKSMG 38 37.7 38.3 32.5 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKJHH 38 37.5 42.25 31.5 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKPMI 38.5 38.5 38 31.5 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKBE

J 39 38.1 38.2 32 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKAJK 39.1 38.1 38.6 30 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKBBSL

L 39.1 38 38.5 30 Y1,Y2,Y3 SKS

PlasticChair

SeatHeight

SeatWidth

SeatDepth

BackrestHeight

Year(Y) School

M 43.3 38.5 42 36.7 Y2,Y3Y2

SKBGSKMH

Table 1 : Chair Dimension of Primary Schools ( All Dimension are in cm)

Fig.1:(a)Woodenchair(b)Plasticchair

(a) (b)


Based on the previous result, this paper is a continuous paper to reaffirm the quantitative resultthrough qualitative data; by identified the frequent type sitting amongst LOPS in Kedah, Perlis andPulauPinang.Theaimofthisstudy istoestablishfrequenttypesofsittingposturesthatattributetodiscomfortamongstLOPSinKedahPerlisandPulauPinang.RESEARCHMETHODVideoanalysisThis research were conducted on the same respondent of the previous study, however only 12respondentofLOPSwererandomlytakenafterschoolandparentspermission(Table3).Theusageofwoodenchairwereconsists3respondentsforeachaged7to9yearsold,whiletheplasticchairusageconsist 2 respondents of 8 years old of LOPS and only 1 respondent of 9 years old of LOPS. Eachrespondent is represented the usage for each dimension of chair during learning session (Table 1).Twovideohandy-camerawereusedtorecord30minutesofposturalseatingbehaviorvideorecording(Domljan,Vlaovij,&Grbac.,2010;Dhara,Khaspuri,&Sau.,2010)amongstLOPSduringtheirlearningsessionintheclassroom.Thesevideoshavebeenanalyzedthoroughlyonthecorrelationofmismatchandawkwardpostureseating.

MatchbetweenAnthropometricandSchoolChairAge Gender % TotalofLOPSFemale Male

7YearsOld 0 2 1.9 28Yearsold 0 1 0.9 19Yearsold 0 1 0.9 1

Total 0 4 3.7 4

MismatchbetweenAnthropometricandSchoolChairAge Gender % TotalofLOPSFemale Male

7YearsOld 13 21 31.5 348Yearsold 13 22 32.4 359Yearsold 9 26 32.4 35

Total 35 70 96.7 104

Table2:PercentageofMatchandMismatchbetweenAnthropometricandSchoolChairofPrimarySchoolsamongstLOPS


RESULTThevideoanalysisrevealthereare6typesofsittingposturethatfrequentlyprevailamongstLOPS:

TYPESOFSITTINGPOSTURE DESCRIPTION

Straddlessittingpostures

Basically, this sitting posture were involved withthe lateral movement while sitting. This sittingposture frequently happen due to the mismatchandnon adjustable designof chair usedby LOPSin school. It shows that school chair did not fitwithchildrenbehaviorsitting intheclass. Sittingon the edge of the seat can cause discomfort atthe feet due to the high compression under thethighwhichallowinterruptionofbloodflowandcirculation and causes numbness at the muscle(MuhammadFauzi,2010;Miller,2002).

WoodenChair

7YearsOld 8YearsOld 9YearsOldRespondentARespondentB

RespondentC

RespondentDRespondentE

RespondentF

RespondentGRespondentH

RespondentI

PlasticChair

8YearsOld 9YearsOldRespondentJ

RespondentKRespondentL

Table3: 12respondentofLOPSwererecordedin30minutesofseatingposturalduringlearningsessionbysittingondifferentsizesofschool

chair

Table 3 : List 12 respondent of LOPS were recorded in 30 minutes of seating postural behavior during learning session


Sittingupstraightposture

Accordingtoanalysis, therearetwomain factorsthatinfluenceSittingupstraightposture,namely:(a) Depth Seat dimesions greater than ButtockPopliteal Length dimension, (b) Sitting behaviourbyplacingschoolbagatthebackrest.Thesefactorcause depriving the sitter from the backrest toproper support the back while sitting which cancausepain,injuryanddiscomfortatlumbarregionfor long term (Lueder & Rice, 2008;Tiedeman,2003). According to Pheasant, 1998,sitting up straight may reduce the impact oflordosis, but it cause tension and pressure inhamstringpart.

Twistingbodyposture

Accordingly the analysis shows that LOPsfrequently twist their bodyduring class session.There are several factors that influence thissittingposture,namely: (a)pickupabook fromthebagwhichplacedatthebackoronthefloordue to no specific locker to keep the student’sstuff, (b) layout of the class, (c) activity inclassroomsuchaswriting,drawing, readinganddiscussion, (d) mismatch betweenanthropometric and chair dimensions, and (e)non flexible design of chair in the class.According to Miller (2002), back discomfortoccurred due to awkward or non-neutralpostural of the spine such twisting, bending,flattening the lower back or seat on the flatsurface which contributing to overuse muscleand ligaments. This awkward posture not onlypressingthediscs, infact italsocanrupturethecartilaginous discs between vertebrae. Tomakematterworse, therepetitionof thisposturecancausedwindlingbodyrehabilitation.

Leaningforwardsittingposture

Leaning forward sitting posture amongst LOPSdue to mismatch between anthropometric andchairdimension.Thesittingpositionofextendingand forwarded position body cause the backslideawayfromthebackrestwhichdeprivethestabilityof sittingandproper supportat lumbarregion(Panero&Zelnik,1979)anditcancauseaslumped, kyphotic posture, therefore chairshould have contoured back rest, fitting thenatural spinal curves, stabilize the spine and


reduce kyphotic posture (Panagiatopolous etal.,2003).

Foldinglegsittingposture

This folding leg sitting posture amongst LOPsfrequent happened during learning session inclass. Tiedeman (2003), explained that thisposition of sitting can cause the risk of bloodclottinginsidethelegandflatulenceatthelowerfeet due to weak blood circulation. Apart fromthat,thediscordantspinepositioncausecervicalbone swell due to back muscle tensions whichinvolveshoulderandneck.

Reclinedsitting

According to Breadfort and Stone (1899) statedthat this position of sitting is mainly to reducethe pressure ligament at lumbar region andcompression at the buttock. However, referringto the analysis show that chair in the class didnotgivepropersupporttothebackandmaynotreduce the pressure and compression properlywhilesitting.

Prolonged static sitting posture can be very tiring. This posture contracted to static muscle usagewhereamusclecontractedforaperiodoftimewithoutmovementasinholdingapictureagainstthewall,sittingupright,standforattention,andsoon.Thispostureheavilysqueezesthebloodvesselnextto it and reduces blood flow and body nutrient which led to toxic increase. It can cuts down thedeliveryofoxygentothemuscleandtheremovaloflacticacidfromthemusclewhichledtomuscularachesandpain(Ergonomic4schools,2010).Theseawkwardandstaticposturessittingoccurredduetothe mismatch between anthropometric and chair dimension which increase the risk of developingchronicmusculoskeletal disorders amongst schoolchildren, particularly continues increase in generalpopulation. Due to discomfortwhile sitting, people tend tomovemore by changing the posture ofsitting. This particular behavior known as “fidgeting” which is associated with forward orientedmovementandposturethatincreaseloadonthesofttissuesandspine(HumanicsErgoSystems,Inc,1999).AccordingtoMiller(2002),statesymptomofdiscomfortisfrequentlychangingposturesitting,peopletendtofidgetingafterprolongsitting,therefore,theykeepchangingsittingtoachievestabilityofsittingnamelytoreleasemusclesafterprolongsitting. Thefrequency changingofsittingpostureamongstLOPSwithin30minutesof learning lesson in theclassroomshow below(Table4,Table5,Table6,Table7,Table8,Table9andTable10)Thenumbersofchangingsittingposturearehigh.Theseresult indicate that LOPS in Perlis, Kedah and Pulau Pinang are “fidgeting” which lead to awkwardsittingpostureandtheyaregreatlyexposedtochronicmusculoskeletaldisorder.Table 4: Frequency of Straddled Posture Sitting within 30 minutes of learning session by 10respondentsusingwoodenandplasticchairofdifferentdimensions


Table 5: Frequency of Sitting Up Straight Posture within 30 minutes of learning session by 12respondentsusingwoodenandplasticchairofdifferentdimensions

Table 6: Frequency of Leaning Forward Sitting Posturewithin 30minutes of learning session by 12respondentsusingwoodenandplasticchairofdifferentdimensions.


Table7:FrequencyofTwistingBodyPosturewithin30minutesoflearningsessionby12respondents using wooden and plastic chair of different dimensions

Table8: Frequencyof FoldingPosturewithin30minutesof learningsessionby5respondentsusingwoodenandplasticchairofdifferentdimensions


Table9: FrequencyofReclinedSittingposturewithin30minutesoflearningsessionby5respondentsusingwoodenandplasticchairofdifferentdimensions

Table 10 : Total Frequencyof Changing Sitting Posture within 30minutes of learning sessionby 5respondentsusingwoodenandplasticchairofdifferentdimensions


Table4showthatonly10of12respondentsarefrequentlyprevailstraddleposturesittingwhiletheother 2 of respondent prefer put their feet on bar tablewhile sitting during learning lesson in theclassroom.Thisfrequentsittingposturehappensduetoincorrectdimensionofseatheightandseatdepth.Table5showthattheentirerespondentareexposetotheSittingUpStraightPosturewhichcancausestretchatthehamstringregion(Pheasant,1998).Table6statethatalltherespondentarefrequentlychangesittingtoofLeaningForwardSittingPosturecancausepressureat lumbarregionand numbness at the leg. This posture occurred due to the incorrect dimension of seat depth andbackrest.Thefunctionofbackrestistosupportbackandupperbodytoachievestabilitywhilesitting.Table7indicatethatallofrespondentsareexposetoTwistingbodysittingpostureandthefrequentoftwistingbodyareveryhighamongstLOPS.Thispostureoccurredduetostaticchairdesignconceptwhich isnot support the lateralmovementsittingamongstLOPS, the repetitionof thisposturecancause dwindling body rehabilitation (Miller,2002). Table 8 reveal only 5 respondent of LOPS arefrequentfoldinglegwhilesitting,thisbehaviorofsittingpronetocausebackache,legbloodclottingshoulder and neck muscles tension due to the discordant spine position and weaken the bloodcirculation. Table 9 show that only 5 respondent of LOPS frequently do recline sitting posturelearning,accordingtoMiller(2002)reclinesittingposturecanreduce20%ofsittingburdenatlumbarregion and distribute the body weight on chair if the chair design with adjustable backrest andarmrest.ThisresultindicatethatreclinesittingpostureamongstLOPSwithoutarmrestandadjustablebackrestonlyoccurhigh compressionat thebuttockwhich cause compression tobloodvessel andlead to numbness at the hip and buttock. Table 10 explain that entire of respondent are highlyfrequent changing sitting posture within 30minutes of learning lesson. This indicate that LOPS ofPerlis, Kedah and Pulau Pinang are expose to discomfort of sitting during learning lesson in theclassroom.CONCLUSIONAccording to Ingraham (2013) state that good posture is can emphasizing change and movement.Apart from that ,it canmaintain individual become active, allow postural change that frequent andmaintain individual body alignment in good position. Whereas awkward posture is any habitualpositioningofbodythatcauseunnecessarystrainonthebodyandtensiontothebodyandmuscle.Inconclusion,thehighestfrequentsittingpostureamongstLOPSwithin30minutesoflearningsessionareStraddledPostureSitting,SittingUpStraightPosture,LeaningForwardSittingPostureandTwistingBody Posture. Those posture may lead to musculoskeletal disorders amongst LOPS( Miller,2002;Tiedeman,2003;Panagiatopolousetal.,2003;WahyuniMasyidah,2016)


Theawkwardpositionsittingoccurredwhichnotonlycausebackpainbutitalsocancausedigestionandkidneyproblem (Daneshmandi, Ismaehzad&Hematiezhad,2008).Tomakematterworse, thesechronic phenomena can cause fatigue amongst LOPS. The effect of fatigue is weakening musclestrength slowly, it can explicable through various circumstances namely reduce focus of work, lackmotivation(Lueder&Rice2008),delayandeffectperceptiondeformvision,reducephysicalspeedandmental performance, experience fatigue gloomy and prolonged anger. (Ergonomic4schools, 2010).Therefore,aproperchairsthatfittothestudentsisveryimportanttopreventpermanentdamagetothe body amongst LOPs. Allsteel (2006),mentioned that there are several criteria for an ergonomicchairdesign,namely;(a)chairshouldprovidepropercontourbackresttomaintaintheneutralpositionof spine, (b) chair should allowmovementwhile sitting, (c) chair should provide armrest to reducepressureat theupperbodyandmaintain thestabilityof sitting, and (d)chair shouldeaseaccessingwhile sitting. Hence, providing a proper standard dimension and design of chair that can fit eachstudentinprimaryschoolcouldbeasolutionthisproblem.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSTheauthorswishtothankalltheparticipatingschoolsandrespondentsfortheircollaborationinthisstudy.REFERENCESAllsteelInc.(2006).Ergonomicanddesign:Areferencedesign.

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SITTING POSTURE AMONGST LEVEL ONE PRIMARY … fileand Bondolos, 2006; Lipardo et al., 2006; Murphy et al., 2003). Mismatch between anthropometric and Mismatch between anthropometric