Mismatch between the anthropometric parameters and classroom furniture in the slovak primary schools

The aim of the study was to compare classroom furniture sizes in four primary schools with the anthropometric measurements of the Slovak school children in the region of Central Slovakia in order to evaluate the potential mismatch between them. Following the measure in their body dimensions, functional dimensions relating to the appropriate size, shape and ergonomic design of classroom furniture were evaluated. The measurements of 295 school children of four primary schools in Central Slovakia were carried out. The basic anthropometric measures such as stature, popliteal height, shoulder height, sitting, elbow height, sitting, thigh thickness, hip width were measured. Following the measured dimensions, the appropriateness of functional dimensions of the classroom furniture used in individual grades was evaluated. The seat height, seat to desk clearance, the seat width was evaluated. The seat to desk clearance resulted in proposing a formula for calculating the height of the storage shelf. Results indicated that seat height, which should be considered the starting point for the design of classroom furniture, the appropriate students' popliteal height was only in the case of 23% of the 6 year old pupils, the seat height was appropriate for 87.89% of 14 year old pupils. In the classrooms of the first and the second grade, according to the age of the school children, there is usually only one dimension of furniture used. Therefore, it does not meet the needs of all children.