Wilkhahn developed the free-to-move concept in order to combat the increasingly physically inactive style of working in digitalised office environments. A five-part series here on the blog will outline the most important background information, issues and solutions to serve as inspiration in designing workspaces that encourage more agile bodies and minds. In part 4, we present three studies from the Centre for Health that scientifically corroborate the advantages of the free-to-move concept.
Wilkhahn developed its three-dimensional Trimension® technology as an integrated movement concept. It ensures fluid movements in all directions and consistently allows the body to maintain its centre of gravity whether users are bending, stretching, tilting sideways or rotating their pelvises. The renowned Centre for Health at the German Sport University Cologne monitored and corroborated both the concept surrounding Trimension® and its impact on the whole body. The researchers presented the latest of three studies at the 21st Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference 2018 in Atlanta, which is organised by GOErgo, the Global Organization of Ergonomics.
All studies prove that free-to-move, powered by Trimension®, adapts perfectly to our bodies, is healthy, increases a feeling of well-being and quickly pays dividends because people are more productive.
Lab study: New Types of Movement in the Workplace
The study looked at how the concept correlated with our bodies, the biomechanical impact and the subjective feeling of comfort that Trimension® provides in the ON® office chair.
Results:
- Pressure is distributed evenly while people are sitting and is perceived to be very comfortable.
- By encouraging us to bend, stretch, lean sideways and rotate our pelvis, Trimension® stimulates the body to engage in a range of natural movements where the head, shoulder and pelvis form a functioning unit when moving with the chair.
- In addition to the large muscle loops, the physiological rotation of the torso activates the muscles deep in the back, the most important components in stabilising the spine.
- Some 90% of the test persons would like this sort of sitting concept in their workspace.
Conclusion drawn by the Centre for Health:
Free-to-move, powered by Trimension®, coordinates with the body’s natural range of motion and encourages us to try out new dimensions of flexibility. Typical complaints associated with sitting at desks won’t arise in this case.
Comparative lab study: Impact of Trimension 3D Kinematics on the Muscles in the Back, Variety of Movements and Stimulation of the Body
New measurement methods were applied based on standardised office working processes (static and dynamic) to examine metabolic activity in the particularly important lumbar muscles. The results on the free-to-move IN office chair were compared with the very good 2D dynamic Neos office chair.
Results:
- the test persons used the whole three-dimensional spectrum of motion that Trimension® offers.
- Where lateral flexion’s concerned, there are significant differences between a 2D synchro-adjustment mechanism and Trimension.
- The vital alternation between tensing and relaxing muscles is much more significant in the case of the free-to-move IN office chair than with a comparable one.
- The test persons prefer the free-to-move office chair on all criteria.
Conclusion drawn by the Centre for Health:
Dynamic sitting on IN with Trimension® definitely leads to healthy lumbar muscles. So there’s a justifiable reason to assume that muscle-based backache can be decreased.
The last study is the start to a new third stage of ergonomics research: from a posture to movement and from movement to a better metabolism.
Comparative lab study: Impact of Trimension 3D Kinematics on the Muscles in the Back, Variety of Movements and Stimulation of the Body
New measurement methods were applied based on standardised office working processes (static and dynamic) to examine metabolic activity in the particularly important lumbar muscles. The results on the free-to-move IN office chair were compared with the very good 2D dynamic Neos office chair.
Results:
- the test persons used the whole three-dimensional spectrum of motion that Trimension® offers.
- Where lateral flexion’s concerned, there are significant differences between a 2D synchro-adjustment mechanism and Trimension.
- The vital alternation between tensing and relaxing muscles is much more significant in the case of the free-to-move IN office chair than with a comparable one.
- The test persons prefer the free-to-move office chair on all criteria.
Conclusion drawn by the Centre for Health:
Dynamic sitting on IN with Trimension® definitely leads to healthy lumbar muscles. So there’s a justifiable reason to assume that muscle-based backache can be decreased.
The last study is the start to a new third stage of ergonomics research: from a posture to movement and from movement to a better metabolism.
Click here to go to the 21st Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference 2018 website
Click here to reach the Centre for Health’s website
In the first part of the free-to-move series you can read about the background to and causes of today’s lack of physical inactivity. What conclusions can be drawn for new sitting ergonomics? Part 2 of the series looks at stimulation and a natural range of motion as the focus of new sitting ergonomics. How does the free-to-move concept help to put this into practice? In part 3, you can find out how Wilkhahn uses its patented Trimension® technology to teach sitting to walk. Part 5 will provide an overview of Wilkhahn’s three office chair ranges in which the concept’s used.
To part 1 of the free-to-move series: Body and mind – a Stone Age DNA in a high-tech era
To part 2 of the free-to-move series: New ergonomics: sitting in natural positions
To part 3 of the free-to-move series: Freedom to move in digital office workspaces
To Part 5 of the Free-to-move series: One principle, three solutions
Der „Trailer“ unserer Serie, der „Free-to-move“- Film, fasst auf unterhaltsame Weise das Thema zusammen:
Click here for more information on the free-to-move concept
Click here to read more about the IN office chair
Read more about the ON office chair here
Read more about the Neos office chair here