Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Introduction: Introduction: Inappropriate sizes of school furniture and the deformation of children’s bodies is one of the issues of concern in the world. The aim of this study was the evaluation of anthropometry of primary students aged 6-12 years in Mazandaran, Iran and the design of school furniture based on the anthropometric criteria of the students.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 18 anthropometric dimensions of 2336 boys and girls aged 6-12 years in 2014-2015 were measured. To collect data, anthropometric chair, camera and camera stand, and Anthropometric photo graphical software were used. After determining the anthropometric dimensions, ergonomic school furniture was designed.

Results: Average, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, median and percentile value of 2.5 to 97.5 of the anthropometric dimensions of students were calculated. The results showed that gender had no effect on the popliteal height in the age groups of 6 to 7 and 7 to 8, but age had effects on popliteal height (P < 0.001). In the age groups of 8 to 9 and 9 to 10 years and also the age groups of 10 to 11 and 11 to 12 years both gender and age had effects on popliteal height (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The results showed that by eliminating the effects of gender, 16.2 mm popliteal height increased per year. It was also found that after eliminating the effects of age, popliteal height increased 20.39 mm more in girls than in boys. Until the age of puberty, the anthropometric dimensions in girls increased more than in boys. The dimensions of ergonomics tables and chairs for students were designed in three sizes.