Active sitting for everyday life and home office working

The number of people suffering from back pain is ever increasing. A common reason for this is that we often spend too little time moving, be it on our feet or when sitting down. This lack of movement, together with a frequently poor posture and non-ergonomic environment, can significantly damage your back. It’s a pretty good reason to look after yourself and try out ergonomic support products such as a causal-use dynamic seat cusion or a dynamic seat cover for in between.

The smallest stimulus can make all the difference

The remarkable thing about our back is that in many cases it can repair itself. An elaborate mechanism makes this possible, but it only works if moved regularly. For people who sit a lot, this means changing position as often as possible. Even the smallest stimulus can make a decisive difference compared to sedentary sitting. The problem is that the active office chairs used in work environments are often not available in more make-shift home office settings. Conventional, non-adjustable chairs are often used instead. The same also applies to dining table seating, something that anyone who has ever had to sit down for a long time whilst enjoying a nice dinner in good company will be familiar with. A consequence of such chairs is that we hardly move while sitting. So, what can be done? How can we increase our level of movement when sitting down? Dynamic seat cushions, for example, which trigger additional movement impulses, can help.

Changing postures without any action on your part

Appropriately designed seat supports should be able to promote so-called active-dynamic sitting. This involves frequent changes in posture with little effort on your part. Such changes stimulate the small muscle groups around your spine, prevent tension, and promote better blood circulation and nutrient supply, including to your brain. That in turn improves your performance and concentration. And let’s not forget the relief of pressure on your intervertebral discs, which are subject to a great deal of strain when sitting.

What matters

For a dynamic seat cover to have the positive effects described above, it must first of all be able to be positioned securely on your existing seat, without there being any risk of sliding. And it of course shouldn't create any unpleasant pressure points. A gentle flexibility is very important, allowing movement in all directions and enabling constant spontaneous changes of movement or, better still, promoting them. Experts refer to this as needs-oriented pelvic dynamics, in other words a rhythmic activation of the pelvic core musculature. This results in a constantly changing distribution of pressure on the spinal motion segments and also on the major joints.

Activation of the sensorimotor system is also essential for a healthy back. The sensorimotor system concerns the interaction between stimulus reception (sensory system) and stimulus response (motor system). An appropriately designed seat cover focuses on specifically altering the stimulus reception in such a way that a muscular reaction occurs in response. Although such a dynamic seat support can’t replace an ergonomic chair in the long run, it can contribute to back health and well-being during seated activities when used as a temporary solution, or when used as a general occasional support.

• It stands to reason that a separate movement-promoting seat cover shouldn’t slide back and forth on the existing seat; it needs to be positioned securely, without any risk of sliding.
• Movement is key. The seat cover must therefore be flexible in all directions and allow for frequent changes of position.
• The cover should support active sitting, i.e. movement, particularly in a forward sitting position, as is the case when you’re working at a desk. A wedge-shaped design with a slightly outward-angled thigh guide and material with an elastic, resilient cushioning layer can be helpful for this position.
  • The wedge-shaped design of the award-winning cushion, together with its slightly outward-angled thigh guide, and material featuring an elastic, resilient cushioning layer, help with this posture.
  • With the likewise award-winning portable seat, an ergonomic posture is made possible by the slightly convex shape of the seat part and the elastic, resilient properties of the thigh rest surface. A forward tilt of the pelvis supports the straightening of the lumbar curve.
• It also helps to support passive sitting in reclining (resting) position. This is, for example, possible using a dynamic seat cushion with pelvic support.
• It is important that the pelvis doesn't slip forward when sitting. The cushion’s shape and non-slip material should prevent this from happening.
• In terms of basic cushioning, you should chose something that makes sitting comfortable and that doesn’t create unpleasant pressure points.
• A removable and washable cover isn’t just a good idea for hygiene reasons; you may well want to change up the look of the cushion or replace a worn out cover in future.
• What constitutes hard and what soft? Everyone has their own personal definitions. It’s therefore useful when there are different firmness and size options to choose from as your body size and seat requirements are unique to you.

Minimum requirements

• Ensures slide-resistant positioning
• Enables multidimensional movement
• Allows frequent change of position
• Supports active sitting
• Enables a secure seated position
• Features comfortable cushioning material
• Features a removable and washable cover

Also appropriate

• Different firmness levels
• Different seat sizes
• Reclining position support, e.g. by means of a pelvic support cushion

dynamic seat cushion

• kybun Joya
  • kybun Joya seat cushion
     

dynamic seat support

• Help-24
  • Ori-Back portable ergonomic seat
    
    

Manufacturer

kybun Joya Retail AG
Mühleweg 4
9325 Roggwil
SWITZERLAND
phone +41 7145 47 992
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.kybunjoya.swiss/en

Help-24 GmbH
Percostraße 15
1220 Wien
AUSTRIA
phone +43 (0)1 270 61 08
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.ori-back.eu/en/

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