Study of effect of selected underlying factors of sitting comfort and discomfort on comfort and discomfort perception

Abstract

The present study was carried out under university class room settings to investigate the influence of selected underlying factors of sitting comfort and discomfort at their different levels on the perception of sitting comfort and discomfort while sitting. Questionnaires with 7-point rating scales were used to obtain feelings elicited with five different chairs while sitting. Questionnaires filled by 49 subjects were analyzed. In the factor analysis, comfort and discomfort factors were extracted validating the factor structure of comfort and discomfort obtained in previous studies. The results obtained indicated that comfort and discomfort factors can co-exist at the same time at different levels. The results further showed that back pain was the most important discomfort factor while relief feeling is the most important comfort factor in sitting comfort and discomfort perception. From the findings of the study it is suggested to study seat features that may influence relief feeling in comfort perception.