What Is Ergonomics and How It Improves Performance

It’s not easy staying seated

When it comes to career choices, many people view an office job as safer and easier to do than construction or manufacturing work. Sure, sitting down on an office chair and typing documents may sound simpler and more appealing. But, over time, long hours of sitting can hurt your back, and you will have trouble focusing on the task at hand.

Even gaming can be a pain once your body starts registering the first signs of aches. Whether you are on the 9-to-5 grind or taking on the next battle, it’s important to make your personal setup as comfortable as possible.

Ergonomics 101

This is where ergonomics comes into play. Ergonomics is the study of humans and their interactions with the physical environment. The goal of this study is to design spaces in a way that benefits humans while reducing discomfort and injury.

Now, you might be asking, “Why are ergonomics important?” Well, a study done by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) found that ergonomic factors of machinery and equipment can contribute to occupational sickness.

If your workspace isn’t made to be comfortable, you run the risk of suffering serious health issues. In one study, researchers found that 58% of workers doing at least 3 hours of computer work daily suffered some type of musculoskeletal pain. The most common complaints were shoulder pain (42%) and neck pain (35%).

Shoulder and neck pains are one thing, but an uncomfortable office chair or a poorly adjusted standing desk can cause disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal misalignment, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Mastering the art of ergonomic design

There are a lot of factors you need to consider when creating an ergonomic setup for your work or gaming experience. From choosing the right furniture to positioning your equipment, we’ve put together this handy-dandy guide to help you stay comfortable for the long haul.

The first and most important thing to consider is your chair. When choosing an ergonomic chair, it’s important to find those that have a curved backrest or back support. This feature is crucial to minimise stress on your back.

The ergonomic chair should also have a height-adjustable cylinder that allows you to position your feet on the floor. This helps reduce pressure and improve blood circulation. If the chair can’t be adjusted, use a footrest so that your feet are parallel with your thighs.

Finally, look for adjustable armrests that are able to change height and width. These not only help keep your hands close to your body, but they also relax your shoulders, ensuring a comfortable seating posture.

A height-adjustable standing desk is recommended, as they encourage switching between sitting and standing postures. However, if you don’t have the money to afford one, you can make some simple adjustments, such as adding boxes under the desk’s legs or sitting on a higher chair.

Regardless of which options you choose, it’s important that your leg space be kept free of items. The more items you have underneath your desk, the more difficult it is to maintain a good sitting posture. You should also pad the desk’s edges to avoid contact stress, which can irritate the nerves and increase the risk of arm injuries.

Equipment and Accessories

Besides chairs and desks, equipment and accessories can elevate the whole setup. For instance, monitors must be positioned at an arm’s length away from your face (somewhere between 50 and 100 cm) with the top of the screen being at or slightly below eye level. If you’re using a laptop, consider getting a stand and external keyboard to mimic a desktop computer setup.

The keyboard itself must be in front of you so that your wrists and forearms are in line and your shoulders are relaxed. Lastly, keep objects that you use frequently, such as your phone, stapler, or pen, close to you to avoid having to reach for them.

Equip yourself with the best furniture

If you’re on the prowl for some ergonomic furniture that can support you in your master quest, don’t worry. We at TTRacing have got you covered. Our wide range of gaming and office chairs are meticulously engineered to provide exceptional back and lumbar support to keep you working or playing at your best.

To get the inside scoop on all of our ergonomic chairs, check this link out. You can also click this link to browse our selection of customisable standing desks that give you the freedom to create a work or gaming station that meets your needs.