Are we prepared to be responsible for ever increasing bad posture and spinal damage in our children?
Many classroom sizes are based upon laid down minimum dimensions for reasons of cost. Frequently if construction costs are higher than expected then savings are made from furniture and fittings, and although it is changing, this has often been the reason for the inadequate desks and chairs purchased. The assumption that one size fits all for either junior or senior pupils’ furniture has brought about a rapid increase in bad posture.
Of course a lack of exercise, too much telly watching and an excess of junk food contributes. But discomfort leading to excessive fidgeting is one of many reasons for lack of attention, and poor results. Too little space is another, and also results from the ‘face the front’ need to get over 30 children in minimal space, with the consequences of the naughty (frequently the brightest) children at the back disturbing the rest.
Scandinavian schools achieve vastly better standards and the most recent, Hadsund Skole in Jutland and Hellerup School in Copenhagen, both designed by Loop A/S from understanding how children can really enjoy learning.
The reasons why Posture needs consideration
Back pain is the reason for near 60% of workplace absenteeism in adults. Bad posture is the main reason and once an attitude to a slumped or lazy posture is developed in childhood or adolescence, it often only gets worse. Tiny children have a delightful posture. Bad chairs can quickly ruin this.
Twenty five years ago Kuopio University in Finland carried out studies showing that students sitting with an upright posture achieve better grades than those using the old ISO/BS standard furniture. The same experiment recently in Germany has confirmed these findings.
A balanced upright posture retains lordosis (the natural spinal curvature) hence there is no uneven pressure on the lower spinal discs and the spinal muscles are relaxed and comfortable.
A desk or table adjusted to elbow height, and tilted if possible, requires a minimum of head inclination and consequential neck strain. Small children have a much shorter depth of visual focus than adults, the reason why they are seen crouching over their work and getting neck ache. This rarely happened with the pre-war heavy fixed desks with narrow bench seats and tilted tops.
An upright posture allows full expansion of the lungs, and greater stomach capacity giving better digestion, and no discomfort after meals.
A 60degree thigh/torso angle allowing free femoral blood flow to the lower limbs and a ‘waterfall’ seat front (see diagram) which does not compress the under thigh and allows unobstructed venous blood flow to the heart and brain, not overstraining the heart, is a contributory factor in ‘considerably better grades’.
An absence of posture related discomfort also allows better concentration. The charity BackCare is increasingly aware that serious spinal damage is seen especially in teenage girls, and more frequently in young children, caused by bad chairs.
Since students are not employees, the responsibility for their welfare primarily rests with the Head Teacher and support staff. In an increasingly litigious society the parents of a pupil who suffers serious back pain through bad furniture could sue for a lack of care.
Desks and chairs, along with learning spaces and equipment must be versatile with a range of uses. The design of science laboratory furniture, of IT suites, of presentation areas, of assembly and dining areas and storage, each is changing. School buildings must also be able to accommodate change and engender excitement. The closest contact a child has with a new school or new furniture is their backside on a seat. If that is ill-fitting and uncomfortable then the whole exercise is devalued!
A trend for ‘in the round’ learning spaces is gaining ground, much of it encouraged by a superb range of equipment produced by NSF A/S in Kolding, Denmark and now selling in increasingly large numbers in Scandinavia, Germany and the Middle East.
Flexibility of layout and compact storage allows the grouping of learning spaces and a change of use, besides being important for cleaning.
Most suppliers of school furniture claim it’s ‘ergonomic’. Many have not the faintest idea of postural ergonomics. The term ‘ergonomist’ covers a huge range of specialists looking at the relationships between the users and the workplace or equipment. Very few properly understand ‘posture’ however. Those with lifelong experience spent studying and promoting of such, include Dr Chresten Mandal of Klampenborg, Denmark and Professor Dr. Nigel Corlett of Nottingham, UK. Their work informs much of our present thinking and design.
And it’s not cost effective buying the cheapest furniture which lasts 3-4 years at most. A 12-20 year guarantee the best modern designs is vastly less expensive eventually, even if desks and chairs might cost twice as much initially.
For more information
Contact: Anthony Hill DesRCA FRSA
Managing Director - AH07.com Ltd, producer of Aalborg equipment
www.aalborgdk.com
