Determining optimum seat depth using comfort and discomfort assessments

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine optimum seat depth using subjective assessments. Comfort and discomfort evaluation, as an ergonomic subjective method, was used to find the optimum seat depth. A total of 36 university students rated the comfort and discomfort of 6 different seat depths (including 32.0 cm, 37.0 cm, 42.0 cm, 47.0 cm and 52.0 cm which covered the buttock–popliteal length [BPL] range as well as 40.2 cm representing the 5th percentile of the BPL) during a 90-minute time period using the chair evaluation checklist (CEC). The results showed that the seat depth of 40.2 cm (equivalent to 5th percentile of BPL) was more comfortable and caused less discomfort ratings after 90 minutes compared to other experimental seat depths. The findings suggest that appropriate seat depth for the studied population can be recommended based on the 5th percentile of the BPL as an anthropometric criterion.