Ergonomics evaluation of the wooden brown chairs in Cebu Doctors' University: Basis for classroom chair modification.

  The study aimed to evaluate the ergonomic features and measurements of the wooden brown chairs in Cebu Doctors' University. The study utilized a descriptive comparative design in gathering and comparing the anthropometric measurement of the chairs with the ergonomic standard of measurement. The study was conducted at the 2nd, 3rd and 5th floor of the university. The 464 students of the Cebu Doctors' University were randomly selected as respondents and were asked to answer The Ergonomic Evaluation Seating Tool authored by Professor Alan Hedge of the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis of Cornell University. There were also 464 wooden brown chairs measured according to its height of backrest from floor, seat depth, seat width, seat height, height of armrest from seat, width of armrest, angle of backrest and was measured with the use of measuring tape and goniometer (for angle of backrest).

  The 464 respondents were asked to answer the Ergonomic Evaluation Seating Tool. It is a 21 item tool that evaluated the comfort level of the armchair. The height of 464 respondents had a mean of 63.31±3.72 inches, and a median score of 62.60 inches and weight had a mean of 58.10±13.15 kilos and a median of 55.00 kilos. The ergonomic seating evaluation score were measured according to: chair adjustments with a mean of 4.92±2.03 and median of 5.00; seat adjustment with a mean of 4.35±2.12, median of 4.25; ease of use had a mean of 4.78±2.03, median of 4.90; body support had a mean of 4.77±1.93, median of 5.00; Overall chair experience had a mean of 4.56±2.20, median of 4.67.The standard chair evaluation measurements are as follows: height of backrest floor with a mean of 25.08± 2.04 inches, median of 25.38 inches; seat depth had a mean of 15.09±0.97 inches, median of 15.63 inches; seat width had a mean of 16.07±0.78 inches, median of 15.88 inches ;seat height had a mean of 15.99±1.30 inches, median of 16.00 inches; height of armrest from seat had a median of 9.72±1.05 inches and median of 9.38 inches; width of armrest had a median of 11.19±1.14 inches, median of 11.75 inches; angle of backrest had a median of 95.42±5.91 inches and a median of 95.00 inches.

  Based from the results, the study shows a significant degree by which the height of the students differ compared to the anthropometric measurement of a Filipino. It also shows a significant amount of difference in the chair measurements. During the whole process, a chair design was given to suit the needs of the respondent. Despite of all the efforts, still the respondents were not pleased with the overall chair experience therefore giving it a score of 4.56. Through this study, the university could make the necessary modification to the furniture giving it a better ergonomic fit. With this modification, the assurance of the students' productivity in class can be anticipated. The future researchers could further study the other parameters that were not addressed for better design of the chair. In addition to this, a study may be done with the chairs to see if they cause any musculoskeletal pains.