Features for an Ergonomic Seated Office Task chair:
- Adjustable seat height
- Adjustable seat pan depth, seat pan with a waterfall front edge
- Adjustable back support, either adjustable via the entire seat back or adjustable lumbar support within the existing seat back
- Arm rests adjustable in height and width.
- Seat pan should have forward and backward tilt capabilities with the ability to lock in position and free float.
- Seat pan and seat back should tilt as one unit so that the relationship of the pelvis to the spine is maintained.
- Tilt tension should be adjustable.
- Headrest (if desired) should adjust in both height and forward and back. Headrest height adjustment should be independent of seat back height adjustment
General chair adjustment and work positioning considerations:
- Armrests should be adjusted so that when you rest your arms the weight of your arms is unloaded from your shoulders and neck. Armrests are rests, not works. When you are working on a keyboard or with a mouse your arms should hang freely, not supported on the arm rests.
- Seat pan height should be slightly higher than knees when feet are flat on the floor
- Seat pan depth should reach to within 3-4 finger widths of the back of your knee when your pelvis is firm against the backrest of the chair.
- Keyboard tray should be adjusted so that your elbows are bent slightly greater than 90 degrees, forearms angled downward toward the hands. Wrists should be just slightly bent so that the back of the hand is inclined a little relative to the forearm.
- Monitor placement so that the center of the screen is resting focal distance (28-32”) from the eyes at a declining angle of 10-20 degrees from the eye height.
- Prolonged forward reaching work should ideally be performed with the chair seat inclined forward and weight placed through the feet on the floor.
- When work allows, reclined positioning of the chair should be used for ‘relative rest’ breaks. Having easily adjustable tilt is necessary for this.
- If you are able to work in a reclined position, a headrest is recommended.
- A keyboard and mouse tray that is easily adjustable to multiple positions allows for the maximum utilization of multiple chair positions.
Editorial opinion: Spend as much money as you need to buy what feels absolutely best. It can be your throne, treat it as such. Most office workers will spend more hours in a week with their body in the office chair than anywhere else, except the bed. Some people spend more time in the chair than the bed, but that is another problem. The office chair and the bed can have a greater impact on the body than all the gym memberships, exercise equipment and therapies. Invest wisely in yourself in those areas.