Anthropometrics and Ergonomics of Secondary School Students in Four Yola Metropolis, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Uncomfortable and bad sitting position can impact a student's interest in learning. This study therefore evaluates the anthropometrics and ergonomics of secondary school students in four Yola metropolis, Adamawa State, Nigeria to evaluate their physical measures of a person's size, form, and functional capacities and their working environment using standard methods with 200 students, of which 102 were male and 98 were female.  In accordance with the current seat height, a match criterion was established for each class. The extent of mismatch was then assessed by comparing the average popliteal heights of each class using the match criterion. The findings show that in all courses across all schools, more than 80% of the pupils did not have a suitable seat height. Over 80% of the classes in the schools had levels of mismatch (low), which is an obvious sign that the students' seats are on furniture that is too low for their heights. The article suggested a furniture design that was ergonomically orientated. When creating school furniture for pupils, it was suggested that their anthropometrics be employed to account for their diversity between classes and ages.