The Use of Electromyography for Seat Assessment and Comfort Evaluation

A need to develop methodologies to obtain objective measurements of the effects of different seat contours on people is evident. In an effort to monitor muscle activity during static seated postures, electromyography (EMG) was employed. In an experimental setting, fatigue was induced in back extensor muscles for different seated postures. The resultant EMG signals were then sampled bilaterally for three different vertebral levels and the effects of the different seating systems on posture were evaluated.

In preliminary tests involving 4 subjects of similar size and build, utilizing three differently contoured seats, findings support the use of EMG to quantify muscular fatigue as a viable means of objectively measuring the effects of different seat contours.