Have you ever felt fatigued after hours of sitting in your office chair? Well, it may surprise you to know that relief is at your fingertips, quite literally. The key to combating tiredness lies in making the right adjustments to your office chair.
By optimizing the backrest, seat position, and armrests, you can significantly reduce the strain on your body, thus alleviating fatigue. These three components work in tandem to provide proper support and comfort, allowing you to work or relax with ease.
However, finding the perfect balance can be a challenge. The backrest, for instance, can come in different shapes and sizes, each designed to cater to specific needs. You may prefer a contoured backrest to provide lumbar support, or an adjustable one to ensure proper alignment.
The same goes for the seat position and armrests. These two features also play a crucial role in reducing fatigue. The seat position, for example, can be adjusted to a comfortable height that minimizes the pressure on your legs, while armrests can help distribute weight evenly, avoiding strain on your shoulders.
1. Ability to adjust the backrest of the office chair
There are many models of office chairs with adjustable backrests, and there are several types of these functions. Typical backrest fine adjustment functions are the “reclining function”, “rocking function” and “lumbar support”. If you make effective use of each adjustment function, you can expect the effect of alleviating fatigue when sitting on an office chair simply by resting your body on the backrest.
In order to use an office chair in a posture that does not cause fatigue, it is important to understand and master the features of the various functions installed in the backrest. Here, we will explain the features of various functions installed in the backrest of the office chair.
1-1. Reclining function
The recline function, a highly sought-after feature in modern office chairs, allows you to effortlessly tilt the backrest backwards, with the ability to lock it in place at the desired angle. Picture a reclining chair on a bullet train or an airplane seat, and you'll have a good idea of what it is. To achieve ultimate comfort while seated at your desk, adjust the recline feature on your office chair. Some models even boast a synchronized recline function, which moves the backrest in harmony with the seat surface.
However, despite its undeniable usefulness, the recline feature may sometimes result in unwanted creaking or squeaking noises. This can be remedied by simply tightening the screws and lubricating the springs, ensuring a seamless recline experience. So if you're plagued by the sound of your chair creaking, don't fret - a quick check may solve the issue.
1-2. Locking function
The rocking function is a function that changes the angle of the backrest and seat according to the movement and weight shift of the body. Unlike the reclining function, the main purpose is not to fix the angle, but to swing the body in the office chair like a cradle. By adjusting the rocking function, there are models that allow you to adjust the degree to which the backrest can be moved back and forth when you move your body, as well as the rocking angle and repulsive force.
There are various types of locking functions. Specifically, there is a "back only rocking function" that allows only the backrest to move, and a "locking strength adjustment function" that allows you to adjust how much the backrest tilts when you put your weight on it.
1-3. Lumbar support
The intricate mechanics of lumbar support, with its cushioning mechanism or similar device, offers a crucial respite for the lower back region. This indispensable feature can be meticulously adjusted, conforming to the precise curvature of one's lower back, thereby promoting an ergonomic S-shape spinal alignment, while also significantly reducing fatigue during prolonged periods of seated posture.
A diverse array of materials, each with its own distinct properties, is utilized to craft these lumbar support cushions. From the durable and resilient high-density urethane, to the more flexible low-resilience urethane and the breathable mesh-like fabric, the options are many. The key to attaining a supremely comfortable seated experience lies in choosing a cushion that seamlessly blends in with one's preferred work environment, as well as their unique preferences for seated comfort.
2. How to adjust the backrest to reduce fatigue
Sitting posture can greatly affect your susceptibility to fatigue. To combat the detrimental effects of extended sitting, it is imperative to optimize the adjustment of your office chair's backrest, including the recline angle and lumbar support. This fine-tuning will ensure that your posture remains unfatiguing and you can sustain it for prolonged periods.
A key aspect of preventing exhaustion is to preserve the natural S-curve of the spine and keep an upright pelvis, which can be accomplished by judiciously adjusting the backrest for optimal comfort.
2-1. [Backrest] Set the angle around 100 degrees
The first point to prevent fatigue even when sitting for a long time is to sit with your pelvis upright. Standing up the pelvis means that the pelvis should be in the original position, such as "the pelvis does not tilt back and forth, left and right" and "perpendicular to the floor". When you sit with your pelvis upright, the burden on each part of your body, such as your shoulders, neck, internal organs, and lower back, is reduced.
To sit with your pelvis upright, we recommend that you sit deeply in your office chair and use the reclining function to adjust the backrest of the chair 100° forward or backward. However, the appropriate recline angle will vary depending on the type of computer you use and the type of work you do on a regular basis.
For example, if you are working on a computer and you are leaning backward, it is around 100 degrees. For those who take a forward-leaning posture for paperwork, you can set it to 80 degrees. In addition, there are office chairs with functions that can support a forward-leaning posture, so purchasing them is also important. Since the angle of the backrest varies from person to person, we recommend that you adjust it while actually sitting on an office chair in your usual work environment.
2-2. [Lumbar support] Move to the waist position
Preventing fatigue while seated for extended periods requires a crucial aspect - preserving the natural S-shape of the spine. In a normal standing position, the spine exhibits this signature curve, yet when confined to a desk chair, it is all too easy for it to deteriorate into a hunched arch. This deviation from the ideal shape places undue stress on the lower back and increases the likelihood of back pain. Thus, it is imperative to ensure that the backrest of your office chair aligns with the contours of the S-curve to mitigate such discomfort.
To maintain the S-curve while seated in an office chair, it is crucial to calibrate the lumbar support. When properly adjusted, the cushion should follow the inward arch of the lower back as you sit back and stretch. To achieve the optimal configuration, make sure to fine-tune the lumbar support after adopting your typical working posture.
3. Important adjustment points for office chairs other than the backrest
To ensure ultimate comfort while seated in your office chair, several modifications must be made beyond merely adjusting the height from the floor. The "seat position" and "armrests" play a crucial role in reducing fatigue and promoting a comfortable sitting posture. Some office chair models even offer the added convenience of adjusting the depth of the seat. The armrests, too, can be adjusted in height and angle to best fit the user's body.
It's vital to distribute body pressure evenly, not just maintain a comfortable posture, so as to avoid discomfort. By carefully fine-tuning the seat surface and armrests, you can fully utilize the backrest's function and sit comfortably for extended periods.
3-1.Point 1: Seat position
Finding the right seat height can be a challenge, but it's crucial to ensure proper body pressure distribution. The ideal seat height is where the soles of your feet touch the floor and the backs of your knees are slightly above or parallel to the seat surface. When the seat is too high, the legs will dangle in the air, leading to improper distribution of body weight and an increased risk of swelling.
However, seat height is not the only factor to consider. The depth of the seat also plays an important role in ensuring comfort and proper body alignment. It's recommended to adjust the seat depth so that your feet are firmly on the floor and do not touch the backs of your knees when you sit deeply in the chair. If the seat is too deep, the backrest and lumbar support won't properly fit your body, rendering the micro-adjustment features in your office chair less effective.
3-2. Point 2: Armrests
Maximizing comfort at the office is crucial for a productive workday. One simple yet effective way to achieve this is by adjusting the armrests to align with the height of your office desk. By doing so, the weight of your elbows will be supported by the armrests, allowing for a reduction in wrist strain caused by the desk serving as a fulcrum for your arms.
This distribution of weight from your arms to the armrests not only lessens the load on your shoulders and arms during work, but also helps to prevent stiffness and fatigue in these areas. Additionally, it is recommended to adjust the angle of the armrests, so you can move your arms freely during normal work. With the right height adjustment, the armrests will effectively bear the weight of your arms, providing maximum comfort and support.
4. It is also important to review the backrest of the office chair!
If you still feel uncomfortable around your waist even after adjusting the backrest of the office chair, it is also a point to review the type of backrest. There are mainly three types of backrests to choose from for office chairs, depending on the height. Each has advantages and disadvantages, so please refer to them.
summary
The office chair used for desk work has many adjustment functions. Only by making effective use of each adjustment function can we achieve a comfortable sitting experience that reduces fatigue even when sitting for long periods of time.
If you use the backrest and armrests to maintain a posture that does not cause fatigue and disperse body pressure, fatigue during work will be greatly relieved. In recent years, the "gaming chair", which is full of support functions for long-term gameplay, has a reputation for helping reduce fatigue during desk work. We recommend that you fully understand the features and fine adjustment functions of each, and then select the office chair that suits you best.
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