Deluxe kneeling chair with back support and handles A kneeling chair is a type of chair for sitting in a position with the thighs dropped to an angle of about 60 to 70 degrees from vertical (as opposed to 90 degrees when sitting in a normal chair), with some of the body's weight supported by the shins. In 1979, Hans Christian Mengshoel invented the original kneeling chair of modern times, the Balans chair. Three Norwegian designers, Oddvin Rykken, Peter Opsvik, and Professor Svein Gusrud developed chairs based on the same principle. The kneeling chair is meant to reduce lower back strain[5] by dividing the burden of one's weight between the knees and the buttocks. People with coccyx or tailbone pain resulting from significant numbers of hours in a sitting position (e.g., office desk jobs) are common candidates for such chairs. However, it is not proven that kneeling chairs are an optimal solution. A proper kneeling chair creates the open body angle by lowering the angle of the lower body, keeping the spine in alignment and the sitter properly positioned to task.
[6] The benefit of this position is that if one leans inward, the body angle remains 90 degrees or wider. A misconception regarding kneeling chairs is that the body's weight bears on the knees, and thus users with poor knees cannot use the chair.[7] In a proper kneeling chair, most of the weight remains on the buttocks, and some of the weight bears on the shins, not the knees. The primary function of the shin rests (knee rests) is to keep one from falling forward out of the chair. A saddle chair provides another way to keep the body from falling forward; this type of seat is generally seen in some sit stand stools, which seek to emulate the riding or saddle position of a horseback rider. Conclusions from scientific work on the possible benefits of the kneeling position point in different directions. Ericson and Goldie studied "spinal shrinkage" in subjects using three different types of chairs while performing video display unit work and, in an eight-person study, found that subjects shrank more when sitting on a forward sloping chair with knee support than on a conventional chair.
Dr. A. C. Mandal’s research from the 1960s and 1970s concluded that a forward sloping seat did effectively tip the pelvis forward, opening up the angle between torso and thigh, and thereby correctly aligns the spine, indicating a more suitable position for long periods of sitting. Drury and Francher studied the original Balans kneeling chair in 1985, concluding that overall it was "no better than conventional chairs and could be worse than well-designed conventional office chairs". Lander, et al. conducted another experiment in 1987 comparing the kneeling chair with a conventional chair, and concluded that their experimental data "do not support the manufacturer's claim that the Balans chair is likely to decrease complaints of [lower-back pain]". A 1989 study on a sample of 20 subjects concluded that the Balans chair promoted greater lumbar curvature than the "straight back chair" during relaxed sitting, typing, and writing, and that it could contribute to treatment of lower back injuries.
A more recent study from 2008 confirms that "ergonomically designed kneeling chairs set at +20 degrees inclination do maintain standing lumbar curvature to a greater extent than sitting on a standard computer chair". ^ Ergonomic Benefits of Kneeling Chairs | Hi Lifehacker, What ever happened to kneeling stools? It seems like they were all the rage a few years ago and now you never hear about them. Also, are they a viable alternative to a standing desk? Thanks, Head Over Kneels Kneeling stools and chairs are still kicking around — a cursory Google Shopping search reveals an abundance of available models. Like any office fad, you tend to hear less about these things once the hype has died down, but that doesn't necessary mean they've fallen out of favour. There are several health benefits that a kneeling stool provides over a regular office chair. These mainly centre around the concept of active sitting versus passive sitting. In a normal chair, your body tends to be either slumped and relaxed or tense and straight;
neither of which are ideal postures. This can eventually lead to spinal problems and various other ailments linked to a sedentary lifestyle. By contrast, a kneeling stool promotes active sitting through continual, controlled movement. Because the upper body is self-supported it has to balance itself which encourages the sitter to use their abdominal and back muscles. It's like a mini core workout. Other cited benefits include better blood circulation via increased limb motion, improved concentration (i.e. — no slumping/vegeing out) and almost double the amount of calories burned per hour. A lot of this could just be marketing pap to sell kneeling chairs, but independent research does support a few of these claims. For example, a scientific study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that lumbar curvature on an ergonomically designed kneeling chair is definitely superior to a standard computer chair: This study suggests that ergonomically designed kneeling chairs set at +20 degrees inclination do maintain standing lumbar curvature to a greater extent than sitting on a standard computer chair with an overall mean difference of 7.633 degrees .
As to whether kneeling stools are a viable alternative to the standing desk would largely depend on the individual. On paper, a standing desk probably aids movement and posture more, but only if you use them correctly. There's a temptation to lean on standing desks with your elbows supporting your weight (it's something I've been personally guilty of at the tail-end of each day.) Plus, if you have a convertible model you might end up using it like a normal desk more than originally intended. A kneeling stool, meanwhile, requires upper body balance at all times. There's no way to "cheat" when you're feeling tired. If you have questionable will power, we think a kneeling stool is going to be more beneficial in the long run. Got your own question you want to put to Lifehacker? Send it using our contact form. 5-Year Furniture Protection Plan 3-Year Furniture Protection Plan Used & new (59) from $63.01 Flash Furniture Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Posture Office Chair, Gray, WL-SB-101-GG
DetailsAylio Coccyx Seat Cushion for Back Pain Relief and Sciatica - Office Chair and Car Comfort Pillow FREE Shipping. DetailsComfiLife Coccyx Orthopedic Memory Foam Office Chair and Car Seat Cushion for Back Pain and Sciatica… FREE Shipping on orders over . Buy "Flash Furniture Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Posture ...” from Amazon Warehouse Deals and save 57% off the $149.00 list price. Regain your body's natural posture with this ergonomic kneeling chair. The open angled position encourages a healthier positioning for your body which relieves your spine of the compression when sitting in a office chair. Kneeling chairs sit you in a position to allow your diaphragm to move efficiently and promote better breathing and blood circulation. Use as your permanent office chair or to take a break from your conventional chair. 24 x 18 x 26 inches #5,573 in Home and Garden (See top 100) #56 in Home & Kitchen > Furniture > Home Office Furniture > Home Office Desk Chairs > Adjustable Chairs