The influence of active seating on car passengers' perceived comfort and activity levels
article
New technologies have led to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary behaviour is characterised by physical inactivity and is associated with several health risks. This excessive sitting does not only take place in the office or at home, but also during daily commute. Therefore, BMW AG developed an active seating system for the back seat of a car, consisting of sensors in the back rest that register upper body movements of the passenger, with which the passenger controls a game. This study evaluated three different aspects of active seating compared to other tasks (reading, working on laptop, and gaming on tablet). First, discomfort and comfort perception were measured in a 30-minute driving test. Discomfort was very low for all activities and participants felt significantly more challenged, more fit and more refreshed during active seating. Second, heart rate was measured, indicating a light intensity, but nevertheless non-sedentary, activity. Third, average and variability in activity of six postural muscles was measured by electromyography (EMG), showing a higher muscle activity and higher muscle variability for active seating compared to other activities. Active seating might stimulate movements, thereby increasing comfort and well-being.
Topics
Passenger comfortSeatingVehicle interiorElectromyographyHealth risksMuscleActivity levelsComfort perceptionDriving testLight intensityMuscle activitiesPassenger comfortSeatingSeating systemsTransportationAdultBody movementBody postureCar drivingComfortControlled studyFemaleHealth hazardHeart rateHumanHuman experimentMaleMuscle contractionNormal humanPerceptionPhysical activityPlayReadingRecreationResting heart rateSeatSendentary lifestyleTask performanceTrapezius muscleWellbeingWork environment
TNO Identifier
521639
ISSN
0003-6870
Source
Applied Ergonomics, 47, pp. 211-219.
Pages
211-219
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