Sustainable Mesh Back Task Office Chairs

For most people, choosing the right office chair comes down to comfort. However, as physiology sciences and ergonomic designs advance, we are learning that there is much more to consider than comfort alone.

Education on good ergonomic design in office furniture is more common. However, many people still do not realise that poor ergonomic design in office chairs and workstation layouts can result in adverse health conditions.

An office chair impacts the ergonomic design of your workstation the most, as it needs the most adjustable parameters options when setting your ergonomic desk.

This article will discuss important factors in selecting the right office chair and why Sustainable Office Solutions are the experts for sustainable office furniture in Melbourne.

Choosing an office chair

Whether sitting at your work computer, playing games online, studying or working on projects, a well designed ergonomic office chair is your best defence against the adverse health conditions linked with sitting for extended periods.

Research has linked prolonged periods of sitting to the following adverse health conditions:

• Increased blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Excess body fat around the waist
• Abnormal cholesterol levels
• Metabolic syndrome
• Cardiovascular disease
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Cancer and more

The COVID-19 lockdowns in the 2020s have meant many people have had to adjust to working remotely, forcing workers to create makeshift workstations at home that often sacrifice the ergonomic parameters of their office and study spaces.

Ergonomic professionals predict we may see the negative impact of these poorly designed work conditions over the coming decades. So what is an ergonomic office chair? Read on to learn more about ergonomic task chairs.

Ergonomic office chair design

Ergonomics is a design science that aims to optimise functionality and increase the efficiency of things people use. Ergonomic design starts with human physiology and natural body movement, which dictates the creation of the ergonomic tool or utility, reducing pressure on the body and working around biological and physiological parameters.

In the case of ergonomic office chairs, examples of adjustable ergonomic features include:

• Height adjustment
• Seat tilt
• Back support height and depth
• Lumbar support and more

Depending on the intended purpose, and the personal preferences, there may or may not be static or adjustable armrests on a task chair.

Other factors also come into play where comfort and sustainable sitting are concerned. These primarily involve the materials the chair is fabricated from. For example, a fully upholstered chair made with a vinyl or leather backrest may get sticky and uncomfortable when sitting all day.

Many office chairs now use mesh backrest office chairs and sometimes seats to allow room for the skin to 'breathe' through clothes when sitting and working for extended periods. A mesh backrest also increases comfort, which may reduce stress on the mind and body while helping to keep body temperatures naturally regulated.

What to look for in an ergonomic task chair

While there are thousands of office chair designs over the history of ergonomic office furniture, not all task chairs are created equal. Below we will discuss what to look for in well designed ergonomic office chairs and why these adjustable parameters are essential.

Base

A good task chair should have at least five castor wheels on its base to guarantee stability. In the past, four-wheel office chairs have been shown to be unstable and present a significant risk of a fall injury. As a result, most office chairs manufactured today have a minimum of five caster wheels on their bases.

A good base should also have good quality castor wheels to allow minimal effort when pushing away and pulling yourself into a desk, primarily with your feet and legs.

Seat

The seat is possibly the most crucial feature of an office chair, as it offers the most amount of support from the body's weight. However, it is often overlooked.

The perfect ergonomic position when sitting for your lower back, hips, legs, and feet is:

• Spine straight,
• Back fully supported by the backrest
• Thighs parallel to the ground
• Feet flat on the floor

Suppose you are a shorter person and need your seat elevated for optimal upper-body ergonomics. A riser or platform for the feet is advised, so feet remain flat and fully supported.

Primary features to look for in an office chair seat include:

• Adjustable seat-pan depth
• Rounded waterfall front-edge to promote optimal blood flow to the lower legs and feet
• Sufficient padding designed for prolonged use

As everybody's physiology is different, the seat of an office chair is a personal choice. A professional office chair provider, like Sustainable Office Solutions, can help you choose the best chair for your intended profession or purpose.

Backrest

A well-designed backrest is just as important as a good seat. The backrest should be fully adjustable, so there is optimal spinal support from the neck down and sufficient lumbar support for the small of the lower back. Chronic lower back pain and spinal degeneration are common problems for office workers and people who sit for extended periods regularly.

The optimal ergonomic form for the upper body in an office chair is:

• Spine and neck straight and supported
• Shoulders relaxed
• Eyes straight ahead, chin neutral
• Elbows and forearms parallel to the floor
• Elbows and wrists supported

Another good design feature in a backrest is back supports that can recline independently of the seat and base. This provides ample support when working and sitting upright while easily reclining during rest periods. This allows relief to the hips and added blood flow to the lower body.

As previously discussed, solid back chairs are still common; however, there are many advantages to choosing a mesh back office chair, as it provides the most comfort and breathability for your body.

Armrests

Armrests are very much a personal choice. People with longer arms may feel more supported with armrests; however, people with shorter arms may find them redundant or even get in the way.

If you feel more supported with armrests, choose a chair that allows for armrest adjustments such as height, forward and backward, and tilt control.

Sustainable mesh back office chairs

Sustainable Office Solutions are industry-leaders for refurbished and recycled second-hand office chairs and sustainable corporate furniture in Melbourne. We have a comprehensive selection of ergonomic, mesh back office chairs in our collection and can provide single or complete office task chair solutions.

For more information about our extensive catalogue of sustainable office solutions, contact us on 03 9312 6341, or send your inquiry via email at

info@sustainableofficefurniture.com.au.