Humanics Ergonomics

Nottingham sit/stand seating

Dr. Corlett’s publications that describe his seat patents research

Corlett, E. N.; Manenica, I.; Goillau, P. J. (1983) The relationship between EMG activity of the Sacrospinalis and reported back discomfort. European J Applied Physiol Occup Physiology 50, 2, 213-222.

Abstract: Six subjects performed a tapping task during replicated pairs of trials involving three different degrees of forward bend. The first and second trial of each pair was separated by either a 4 min or 1 min rest period. Integrated electromyographic (IEMG) records from the right Sacrospinalis muscle and estimates of back discomfort on a 5 point scale at 1 min intervals were collected. Reported back discomfort did not correlate with I.E.M.G. Increased forward bend and reduced rest interval generally led to increased levels of reported discomfort but not necessarily increased I.E.M.G.

Eklund, J. A.; Corlett, E. N.; Johnson, F. (1983) A method for measuring the load imposed on the back of a sitting person. Ergonomics. 26, 11, 1063-1076.

Eklund, J. A.; Corlett, E. N. (1984) Shrinkage as a measure of the effect of load on the spine. Spine. 9, 2, 189-194.

Abstract: A new method for measuring spinal load is proposed, whereby changes in body height are used as a measure of disc compression. The rate and magnitude of disc compression are caused by the loading and its temporal pattern. A device is reported for measuring body height (SD < 1 mm). Experiments showed the diurnal shrinkage during a working day and the rapid recovery when lying down. Other experiments demonstrated how the rate of shrinkage is a function of the load on the spine. Further, shrinkage when sitting in different chairs has been compared, and the results are in agreement with disc pressure measurements, reported in the literature. Finally, examples are given of how the method can be used in ergonomic evaluations.

Eklund, J.A.E.; Corlett, E.N. (1986) Experimental and biomechanic analysis of seating. 1986. In The Ergonomics of Working Postures (Eds N Corlett, J Wilson and I Manenica). Taylor & Francis, London and Philadelphia.

Eklund, J.A.E.; Corlett, E.N., (1987) Evaluation of spinal loads and chair design in seated work tasks (with J A E Eklund). 1987. Clinical Biomechanics, 2, 27-33.

Abstract: In this research, several methods were employed simultaneously in the evaluation of chair design and seated work tasks. These methods were grouped under four headings, namely biomechanical load, posture, discomfort and body height shrinkage. The methods were used in both field and laboratory studies. The tasks investigated included forward force development, assembly work with restricted knee-room, vision to one side, grinding, punch press work and fork lift truck driving. Two or more chair designs were compared for each task. The results from the methods were in agreement with one another. It was shown that more flexed spinal postures caused increased biomechanical load on the spine, increased discomfort and increased body height shrinkage. The methods were found to have limitations in different situations.

Gregg, H.D.; Corlett, E.N., (1987) Developments in the design and evaluation of industrial seating (with H D Gregg and J A E Eklund). 1987. Proceedings of the IX Int. Conference on Production Research, Aug. 17-20 (Ed. A Mital), Cincinnati, Ohio.

Gregg, H.D.; Corlett, E.N., (1988) Developments in the Design and Evaluation of Industrial Seating. Ergonomics International 88 Proceedings of the 10th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, Sydney, Australia, 1-5 August 1988, Edited by A.S. Adams, R.R. Hall, B.J. McPhee and M.S. Oxenburgh. Taylor & Francis, London, 75-77.

Corlett, E.N. (1989) Aspects of evaluation of industrial seating. The Ergonomics Society (Invited) Lecture 1989. Ergonomics 32. 257-269.

Corlett, E. N.; Gregg, H. (1993) A Functional Sit-Stand Seat. Ergonomics Society Conference, Edinburgh. (Published in Contemporary Ergonomics 1993, Taylor & Francis Ltd. London)

Corlett, E. N. (1994) Preface to: Hard facts about soft machines: Ergonomics and the science of seating. Editors R Lueder and K Noro. Taylor & Francis Ltd. 1994.

Corlett, E. N.; Gregg, H. (1993) Seating and Access to Work. Chapter in Hard Facts About Soft Machines: Ergonomics and the Science of Seating. Edited by R Lueder and K Noro. Taylor & Francis Ltd. London. 1994

Does it matter that people are shaped differently, yet backrests are built the same? (with R Lueder, C Danielson, G C Greenstein, J Hsieh, R Phillips and Design Works/USA). Chapter 16 in Hard Facts About Soft Machines: Ergonomics and the Science of Seating (Eds R Lueder and K Noro). 1994 Taylor & Francis Ltd. London.

EN Corlett with RA Bonney (2002) Head posture and loading of the cervical spine. Applied Ergonomics 33, 415-417

Two PhD theses concern seating.

JAE Eklund (1986) Industrial seating and spinal loading. University of Nottingham. Published in English, by The Department of Industrial Ergonomics, University of Technology, S-581-83 Linköping, Sweden. ISBN 91-7870-144-0.

H Gregg (2000) A new workseat for commerce and industry: Design and evaluation strategies. University of Nottingham, Institute of Occupational Ergonomics.

Certificant, Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics

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