Ergonomic Design of Chairs for Sedentary Populations: An IPA–DEMATEL Approach to Design Validation

Abstract

As modern work intensifies and working hours become stretched, the development of office chairs that support extended sitting periods and alleviate musculoskeletal fatigue presents a significant challenge. In response, this study aimed to optimize ergonomic support to meet the demands of a sedentary office environment. Initially, a combination of semi-structured interviews and field studies were conducted to collect data on symptoms of discomfort, posture patterns, pain points, and anticipated functionalities during extended sitting. The qualitative information was converted into metrics for evaluation. Following this, quantitative scores were obtained using an IPA scale, and the DEMATEL technique was utilized to examine causal relationships and the magnitude of influence between indicators, facilitating the computation of comprehensive impact weights. Based on these evaluations, a design scheme was formulated and validated via virtual simulation in JACK software. Results indicate the importance of prioritizing ergonomic adaptability, material properties, safety, ease of adjustment, and structural stability in the design of sedentary office chairs. Significantly, the key elements for enhancing comfort during prolonged sitting were identified as the active adaptation of lumbar support and the maintenance of posture stability.