Innovations in Supported Sitting

Nearly 80 percent of all people in the United States complain of back pain.¹  The Center for Disease Prevention reports that when employees suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders, they can miss an average of 20 work days per year. The Center also reports that the annual cost of such disorders is $45-54 billion.²  Ergonomic seating solutions can minimize these costs and also increase productivity by properly supporting the back and encouraging healthy posture.

The Posture Committee of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons defines healthy posture as “skeletal alignment refined as a relative arrangement of the parts of the body in a state of balance that protects the supporting structures of the body against injury or progressive deformity.”³  Researchers in the peer-reviewed medical journal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice furthered this notion, writing, “In sitting, there is no one ideal posture, nor should one posture be sustained. Healthy sitting posture, therefore, is best thought of as an active, not a static phenomenon.”⁴ 

Dr. Brock Walker, an expert on musculoskeletal disorders, points out that comfort is a critical aspect of sitting and is completely rooted in a supported posture. He notes that no one sits in an unsupported position comfortably for very long. Movement is human nature, and moving between supported positions helps the muscular and skeletal systems. It also helps mental stamina and the ability to concentrate. The neck, shoulder, and back discomfort that accompany a slouched, static posture not only cause physical pains but can also have negative mental effects.

Sitting, however, is inevitable. Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick knew this when they combined their deep knowledge of human-centered design, ergonomics, and materials in 1994 to create the classic Aeron Chair. The remastering of the Aeron Chair in 2016 is a prime example of how Herman Miller, with the help of experts such as Dr. Walker, develops chairs using proprietary materials and mechanisms that enable people to experience a healthier seated posture. Made possible by advancements in materials, manufacturing, and technology, the enhanced Aeron advances the chair’s ability to reduce pressure points, respond to the body’s micro-movements, and support the sacral and lumbar regions of the spine in order to combat the harmful side effects of prolonged sitting.

Proving the Material Science

In order to quantitatively examine the differences resulting from the updates to Aeron’s Pellicle suspension material, Herman Miller asked the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) to complete a laboratory study of people sitting in both the classic and enhanced Aeron Chairs. Herman Miller asked UMTRI to use an innovative method to objectively measure the updates to the Aeron Chair.

UMTRI has been using 3D surface modeling for more than a decade to understand human body shapes and interactions with design. The team has scanned soldiers in their gear and personal protective equipment to understand their interactions within a combat vehicle. They have also used the method in automotive seating applications. This was the first time, however, that they applied the technique to task seating.

To measure the effects of the 8Z Pellicle, participants with a wide range of body sizes were measured sitting in both upright and reclined positions. Standard measurements of body dimensions were augmented by three-dimensional, whole-body surface scanning of each participant. Researchers measured seat surface pressure and surface contour data of the seat and backrest as participants sat in both the classic and remastered Aeron Chairs.

By applying this innovative research method, mixing pressure mapping and 3D scans, researchers were able to quantify the differences in contour and pressure distribution produced by the 8Z Pellicle. The data showed that, as the designers intended, the 8Z Pellicle surface was flexing more under the buttocks and upper back than the original Pellicle. Additionally, the 8Z Pellicle at the top and bottom of the backrest and front and back of the seat showed less flex than the original Pellicle material because 8Z was designed to provide firmer support in that region. This variation in flex in the appropriate regions provides the support that is needed to improve users’ sitting experience.

Total Back Support Through 8Z Pellicle and PostureFit SL

Because people will try to avoid sitting in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time, physical pain, an inability to focus, and low performance are the norm in a chair with poor back support. Herman Miller—continually asserting our leadership and authority in ergonomics and design—knew it could further combat these problems by updating Aeron’s design with the latest research and advancements in materials, manufacturing, and technology.

The advanced PostureFit SL and new 8Z Pellicle offer calculated, localized reinforcement designed to move the skeletal system into the right position, correctly support key back muscles, and encourage the body’s natural micro-movements. This result is properly distributed support, a stabilized sacrum and supported lumbar region, and ultimately, a more healthful sit.

As Dr. Walker noted, “It’s the interdependent system that provides identifiable support, stabilization, and comfort for the near limitless movements and contours of the human body.” The 8Z Pellicle zones in the lower back complement the PostureFit SL, all of which properly position the spine and pelvis to stay healthy and active throughout the day. The combination of these key updates combats the harmful effects of prolonged sitting, delivering the support your body needs to avoid physical issues like fatigue, spinal disc compression, and general discomfort. These improvements can lead to happier, healthier employees, as well as more productive organizations and savings resulting from a decrease in work-related musculoskeletal disorders.