• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.853-861
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• 2020

Various types of clothing are being developed to boost thermal comfort during cold winters along with research on change of body temperature when heating is applied. There is a noticeable behavioral difference by gender when using heating panels in a cold environment; however, research on women has been insufficient. This study find a temperature range that provides sustainable thermal comfort in a low temperature environment by observing temperature and change of temperature when subjects are classified according to physical activities or cold sensitivities. For the study results, 8 women in their 20s were subjected to experiment in a low temperature environment for 75 minutes (sitting position: 30 min., running: 15 min., and sitting position: 30 min.). Subjects were asked to turn on/off the heating panel freely to analyze the range of comfortable temperature and clothing microclimate; in addition, skin temperature and heating panel temperature were measured and analyzed at 9 points. As a result, temperature at which subjects turn on and off the heating panel indicated a statistically meaningful difference between the cold sensitivity group depending on exercise or non-exercise. The range of comfortable abdomen temperature was wider than the lower back and was significantly reduced when the subject was running. The range of comfortable temperature was also largest for the heating panel temperature, microclimate, and skin temperature in suggesting that adequate adjustment will be required depending on the surrounding environment or movement of the wearer.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of developing slim seats with ergonomic design to improve seat comfort and expand the interior space. Two seats were used for the experiment: a sample seat designed based on hip shape and spinal alignment and a normal seat with a flat design without curves. Subjects sat in both the sample seat and a normal seat applied to the vehicle simulator and the experiment was conducted. The next part of the experiment was conducted in two different postures: a driving posture and a relaxed posture. The subjects filled out a comfort questionnaire immediately after sitting and after 30 minutes. The results showed that the comfort in the sample seat was found to be more comfortable than the normal seat. However, no significant difference was noted for the relaxation posture. Pressure distribution was also recorded immediately after sitting and after 30 minutes. In the case of pressure distribution, it was confirmed that the pressure in the sample seat was more evenly distributed in both the driving and relaxed postures than in the normal seat. The results showed that the ergonomically designed sample seat greatly improved seating comfort and pressure distribution compared to the normal seat, which is a general vehicle seat design.

• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.124-133
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• 1995

A field study was conducted to assess the preferred height and the range of discomfort recognition of school desks and chairs for students from elementary school to high school. For this study 43 male subjects and 44 female subjects in Taejon area were surveyed. The result shows that the preferred height of chairs is about 1.7cm higher than the popliteal sitting height, while the preferred height of desks shows no significant difference with the elbow sitting height which is known to be the ergonomically proper desk height. The threshold value between comfort and discomfort recognition of chair height is 1.88cm below the most prefeered height and 1.79cm about it. The threshold value between comfort and discomfort recognition of desk height is 1.76cm below the most prefeered height and 2.62cm about it.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.41-50
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• 1995

A field study was conducted to assess the preferred height and the range of discomfort recognition of school desks and chairs for students from elementary school to high school. For this study 43 male subjects and 44 female subjects in Taejon metropolitan area were surveyed. The result showed that the preferred height of chairs were found to be about 1.7cm higher than the popliteal sitting height, while the preferred height of desks showed no significant difference with the elbow sitting height which is known to be the ergonomically proper desk height. The threshold value between comfort and discomfort recognition of chair heigth was 1.88cm below the most preferred height and 1.79cm above it. The threshold value between comfort and discomfort recognition of desk height was 1.76cm below the most preferred height and 2.62cm above it.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.24-24
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• 2004

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2024

This research investigates the influence of chair tilt functionality on biometric signals and user comfort, addressing the ergonomic challenges posed by modern sedentary lifestyles. Through an experimental study involving eight male participants, the impact of chair tilt on electromyography (EMG), heart rate, metabolic rate, pressure distribution, and distance between the lumbar spine and the lumbar support part of the chair was measured across different seating postures. The study utilized chairs with both synchronous and non-synchronous tilt mechanisms to explore how adjustments in chair design affect user comfort and physiological responses during prolonged sitting. Key findings suggest that chair tilt functionality can significantly reduce muscle activity and energy expenditure, enhancing user comfort and potentially mitigating health risks associated with prolonged sedentary behavior. Notably, the study revealed a preference among participants for chairs that aligned the rotational center of the tilt with the hip joint, highlighting the importance of this ergonomic feature in enhancing user comfort. Additionally, the research proposes a novel methodology for assessing seating comfort through the analysis of both biometric and physical signals, providing valuable insights for the development of ergonomic chair designs focused on user health and comfort.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.61-72
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• 1996

In this paper, the driver seat comfort of eight automobiles was studied. The joint angles and anthropometric data of eleven subjects sitting on the seating buck were investigated using the instrument devices such as scale, goniometer, vernier calipers, protractor, Martin set. The joint angles of the most comfort posture were found by experiment and compared with previous studies. The anthropometric data of Korean(1992 year surveys) and American(1970∼1974 year) were applied to evaluate the driver seat layout of Korean automobile. The joint angles of the most comfort posture for eleven subjects were obtained with experimental results. The joint angles were agreed with reference angles. The driver seat layout was not suited to seat length and acceleratorseatpan forward distance in 5 percentiles female, pedal separation and seatpan-roof height in 95 percentiles male. Korean automobiles were not suited to seatpan length and steering wheelseatpan clearance, floor-roof height for American 95 percentiles male. The driver anthropometric dimensions were more suitable to middle size than small size automobiles.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.69-86
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• 2017

Objective: The present study is intended to develop an improved bus seat armrest design by evaluating various bus armrest designs from ergonomic aspects. Background: An ergonomic armrest design which considers the sitting postures and body shapes of passengers can improve the convenience and comfort of a bus seat. Method: Subjective satisfaction of each of five design dimensions (length, width, height from seatpan, shape, and angle) was evaluated for seven bus seat armrest designs in various sizes and shapes by 58 participants (28 males and 33 females) using a 7-point scale (1: very dissatisfied, 4: neutral, and 7: very satisfied). Improved bus seat armrest designs adjustable in length and rotatable to the left or right (sliding and rotating armrest, SRA) with a concave, flat, or convex shape of the upper part were developed by considering the preferred design features and the body size and shape in sitting posture and needs of passengers and then compared with a conventional armrest. Results: A bus seat armrest with a wide width (40~50mm), a long length (360mm), a lower height (213mm), and a curved shape was found significantly preferred in terms of comfort. The proposed armrest designs (SRA-convex, SRA-flat, and SRA-concave) improved satisfaction by 46~62% for length suitability, 184~216% for width suitability, 205~214% for angle suitability, 138~181% for contact area suitability, and 49~64% for height suitability, 138~174% for comfort, and 93~111% for overall satisfaction. Conclusion: The preferred design features and passengers' needs of bus seat armrest were identified and the SRA designs were recommended for better usability. Application: The ergonomic design process of bus seat armrest employed in the present study can be applied to designing armrests in various vehicles for better convenience and comfort.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.449-455
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• 2006

We researched the comfort degree of 8 bodily parts while high school students carry out 9 different motions common to them. We observed high school students to study active effection when they are wearing Saenghwal Hanboks as a school uniform. As a result of this study, the highest degrees of comfort were recorded at standing position, walking, and upright sitting position with one's waist keeping 90 degree. On the other hand, the lowest degrees of comfort were experienced when they bend forward 45 degree and 90 degree each, and also when arms were folded across the chest. Furthermore, students reported that their buttocks, waist, and knees were comfortable during observation period, but that their backs, shoulders, and arm hole were uncomfortable throughout. In general, girls felt more comfortable than boys did, while they were wearing Saenghwal Hanbok as a school uniform.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1514-1526
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• 2002

The objective of this study is to ascertain the major considerations when designing slacks for automobile drivers reflecting the elasticity of the human body posture. The scope of this study aims to find out the causes of discomfort in driving positions based on the results of a questionnaire survey and body measurements fur slacks, as well testing four types of experimental slacks for comfort and fitness when sitting on a driver's seat and in the standing position. Based on the results, a slacks design for drivers with improved comfort and fitness is suggested.