Leg swelling, comfort and fatigue when sitting, standing, and sit/standing

This study determined the differences in lower leg swelling, discomfort, and fatigue for three different conditions: sitting, standing, and using a sit-stand chair. On three different days, 18 subjects with no previous lower extremity problems sat in (1) an office chair, (2) a sit/stand chair, and (3) stood for 90 min. Leg volume changes the most when using the sit/stand chair (81.7 cm(3)) and least when sitting (38.2 cm(3)). The largest percent change in circumference occurred while sit/standing (2.9%) and the least when standing (1.7%). Subjective comfort ratings show that sitting is the most comfortable, using the sit/stand chair causes slight discomfort in the upper back, hips, and upper legs, and standing causes the most discomfort in the entire lower body, the feet in particular. Sitting causes the least fatigue and standing causes the most. Relevance to industry The forward-sloping chair is a new concept starting to be introduced to the industries where standing for long periods of time is required. This data can be used to aid in the decision to use sit/stand chairs in industry. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.