glide-tec – the mechanism with a patent worldwide

Glide-Tec – the mechanism with a patent worldwide

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Is a human being born to sit?Do office chairs follow natural seating behaviour?

Illnesses of the skeleton, the muscles and the connective tissue increased dramatically between 1980 and 1998. In the same period days lost due to other illnesses were able to be reduced because of medical advances (see illustration).

The length of time spent sitting by “modern” office staff is one of the main causes of illness-related industrial absences. Since sitting in itself is not unnatural, the cause of industrial absences must be looked for in the prevailing seating postures. Evidently we have not made any progress in the area of sitting.

Sickness days per 100 compulsorily insured members

healthy?

Person on a synchronousmechanism chair

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Investigation by Prof. Dr. Nachemson (1966)

Prof. Dr. Nachemson – measurement of pressure in the intevertebral disc –result 1966

The result:Greater pressure is put on the intervertebral disc when sitting than standing

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Prof. Dr. Wilke – intradiscale measurement of pressure – 1998

1 subject, fit

Intervertrebral disc not degenerated

44 years, 70 kg, 168 cm

• daily work• physiotherapy• sports

New research findings

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Wilke HJ, Neef P, Caimi M, Hoogland T, Claes LE

New in vivo measurements of pressures in the intervertebral disc in daily life.

Spine 1999 Apr 15;24(8):755-62

Prof. Dr. Wilke – intradiscale measurement of pressure – 1998

New research findings

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LW5

LW4Loading sensor in the intervertebral disc

Prof. Dr. Wilke – intradiscale measurement of pressure – 1998

New research findings

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The Study

Who did the research: Independent Lecturer

Dr.H-J.Wilke, University of Ulm

The aim: To determine the pressure in the intervertebral

disc in different postures by the simulation of a very wide

variety of people’s working activities.

The trial: A measurement probe was inserted into the

intervertebral disc of a living human being. The subject

carried out different exercises and took up different sitting

positions, and at each of these the pressure in the

intervertebral disc was measured.

The result: When sitting in the hollow back posture the pressure in the intervertebral disc is higher than

when seated in a reclining position in a convex back posture.

From this it follows that: Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a slightly convex back will most

noticeably take the load off the spinal column.

Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a convex back posture will most noticeably take the load off the spinal column!

New research findings

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Comparison Nachemson - Wilke

Nachemson 1966

0.10.1 0.120.12 0.50.5 1.11.1 0.460.46 0.830.83 0.30.3 2.32.3 1.71.7 1.1 MPa1.1 MPa

Wilke 1998

Nom

inate

d o

n s

tan

din

g in

%

500500

00

5050

100100

150150

200200

250250

300300

350350

400400

450450

New research findings

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Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a convex back posture will most noticeably take the load off the spinal column!

The Study

Who did the research: Dr.Rohlmann, Free

University of Berlin

The aim: To determine the fluctuations in pressure

in the intervertebral disc in different body positions.

The trial: A spinal column fixer fitted with strain

gauges was fitted to the subject/patient in an

operation (to bridge damaged vertebrae). The

pressure sensors measured the pressure at the

spinal column in different body positions.

The result

Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a convex back posture will most noticeably

take the load off the spinal column.

New research findings

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Sitting takes the load off the intervertebral disc Who did the research: Prof.P.Brinckmann, Independent Lecturer Dr.Drerup, K.Ehrenbrusthoff, Institute for experimental biomechanics at the University of MunsterThe aim: To find the extent to which sitting and standing loaded (put pressure on) the intervertebral disc.

The result: The trial showed that in the working phase, sitting in a reclining position, no matter whether with the back concave or convex, the height increases and then reduces again when standing. This is explained by the differing pressure on the intervertebral discs, brought about by the body weight and the work of the muscles in holding the body upright. When seated in a reclining position the muscles are relaxed. Part of the body weight is taken by the backrest. The pressure on the intervertebral discs is reduced.

The trial: A stadiometer (a device for precise measurement of height) provides information about the loading on the spinal column under simulated office activity. The test was split into three phases (each of 30 minutes),in which the subjects stood in the initial phase,sat in the working phase and stood up again in the follow-up phase. Between the individual phases the height was measured ten times.Taking off the load led to an increase in height, applying a load led to a reduction.

The conclusion therefore: The earlier view is proved wrong!- Seated activity, whether with the back concave or convex, leads to an increase in height. The load or pressure on the spinal column is less than when standing, so sitting reduces the load!- The view, disseminated in the literature and in countless training programmes, that a hollow back shape of the lumbar vertebrae column is preferable to a convex back shape when sitting, as the loading is less, is proved wrong in this study. Sitting with a convex back also takes off the load!

New research findings

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Optimal intervertebral disc nutrition due to alternation of movement

The intervertebral disc is nourished like a sponge.

Hydration: Taking up fluids with the nutrients dissolved in them.

Dehydration: Giving out fluids due to „pressing out“ when under load.

The first form of nutrition: Alternating loading

Loading/ intervertebral Removing the load/

disc dehydration/ intervertebral disc hydration

The second form of nutrition: Alternating loading and alternating movement

A change in the pressure on the intervertebral disc with alternating body posture whilst maintaining the double-S shape of the spinal column.

(Example: Changing from standing to upright sitting, in a reclining position.)

Training the intervertebral disc by alternating movement from lordosis to kyphosis. Here the load is applied and taken off the intervertebral disc alternately at the front (anterior) and the rear (posterior). Thanks to this intervertebral disc training there will also be a better distribution of the nutrients within the intervertebral disc.

Result: Ideal intervertebral disc nutrition is achieved by a combination of alternation of loading and alternation of movement (as depicted above).

Thus when sitting a frequent change of the posture of the back and the sitting position is particularly important!

Loading/ intervertebral disc dehydration Removing the load/ intervertebral disc hydration

New research findings

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Richtiges Sitzen im PKW

B. Reinhardt „Die große Rückenschule; Sitzen - aber wie?“ Demeter Verlag 1998

Falsches Sitzen im PKW

To sit – right or wrong?

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Kyphosis of a lumbar spine as you can see in all literature

Bild a

Up to now

New research findings

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Bild a

wrong

Up to now

c

Kyphosisof the Lumbar spine

Lordosisof the Lumbar spine

right

b

Up to date

Kyphosis of a lumbar spine as you can see in all literature

New research findings

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Backrest is still straight

lumbar spine in extreme kyphosis

New research findings

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The natural movement of the human back

New research findings

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Who did the research?

The research group for Industrial Anthropology at Kiel University under the leadership of Prof.Hans W.Jürgens and

Dr.Helbig.

The aim: To analyse the movement characteristics on different office chairs during office work.

The trial: A video time lapse process records the frequency of the body movements and the change in the angle of

the body.

An electromagnetic system records and analyses the movement pattern.

The result

- Those seated on an office chair with “Glide-Tec” sit more than twice as long (41%) in a reclining, relaxed

position as those seated on chairs with a conventional synchronous mechanism (19%).

- With “Glide-Tec”, in contrast to conventional chairs, the comfort ranges of the body angle are hardly ever

kinematically exceeded. In each sitting position the angle of comfort is very favourable. Thus the office

chairs with “Glide-Tec” permit natural, dynamic sitting with no impairment to comfort.

- The movement patterns show that with “Glide-Tec” even when leaning back the person is still within reach

of the keyboard or the edge of the desk. Thus it is possible to work effectively even in a reclining posture.

New research findings

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Who did the research: TNO, the second largest institute in Europe for ergonomic studies, located in Hoofdorp,

Holland.

The aim: Assessing seating comfort of office chairs by objective measurements.

The trial: Based on the LPD-Test (“Local Postural Discomfort” by van der Grinten, 1992), localised impairments

to comfort when seated on an office chair are measured with a “body-map” (Illustration on left)

and a ten point scale. The investigation was carried out as part of a field study (i.e. not in the laboratory).

The result

The LPD-Test has shown that the office chair with “Glide-Tec” performs better in every area of the body than an office

chair with a conventional synchronous mechanism.

The results show that on average for the whole body an office chair with „Glide-Tec“ is assessed as significantly more

comfortable than a comparable chair with a conventional synchronous mechanism.

It follows that an “active comfort” chair with “Glide-Tec” provides a demonstrably higher level of seating and movement

comfort. In addition the load is taken off the neck, shoulders, arms and legs in the lumbar vertebrae area. With “Glide-

Tec“ you sit relaxed and healthy.

New research findings

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If functions of a chair are important for health they should be very easy to

use or automatically !!

The result: No driver is using more than 3 functions. However some functions are legal. More the half of the drivers uses only 1 function!

The conclusion therefore:The quality of a seat is shown by supporting the user in working. Sitting is not the target of a user – the target is working. So functions are only used when they are necessary for working.

The studyWho did the research: Dr. Elke Maria Deubzer, Psychologyst and leader of the psychological Institute of PMO Munich

The aim: the aim was to find out which functions the user takes, which rules the behavior is following, why using some functions and some not and which consequences this have.

The trial: A study of users of seats in a fork lift . Every driver has to do three actions:Sitting on the fork lift, adapt the seat and start working. The fork lift was driven by another driver before.The behavior was filmed by a camera and evaluated.Afterwards the drivers were asked how often they adapt the functions and if not, why.The seat has 5 different functions: adapt the distance, backrest adjustment, lordosis adjustment and weight adjustment, and also a safety belt.

New research findings

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Conclusion

2. Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a convex back posture

will most noticeably take the load off the spinal column!

3. Those seated on an office chair with “Glide-Tec” sit more than twice

as long (41%) in a reclining, relaxed position as those seated on chairs with a

conventional synchronous mechanism (19%).

4. An office chair with “Glide-Tec” provides a demonstrably higher level of seating

and movement comfort. In addition the load is taken off the neck, shoulders, arms

and legs in the lumbar vertebrae area. With “Glide-Tec“ you sit relaxed and healthy.

6. If functions of a chair are important for health they should be very easy to use

or automatical!!

5. Ideal nutrition of the intevertebral disc is a combination of changing the load on the

Intevertebral disc and changing move. That means: The best sitting position is always

the next one!!

1. Sitting takes the load off the intervertebral disc

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GLIDE-TEC

What is GLIDE-TEC?

Glide-Tec is the world – wide patented

swivel chair mechanism of SATO,

which provides all necessary

requirements for good seating and

gives a lot of benefits to your

Customer!

GLIDE–TEC

Better workingThe hands remain at the workplace

Better operationSimple to operate

Better relaxingNo over-extension of the neck when reclining

Better sittingThe constant change between a hollow back to a flatter back posture

Better operation

Better operation

Glide-Tec gives you the freedom to sit as you want. You set your desired seat height with a hand grip and, quite automatically, Glide-Tec does the rest for you – for example with the patented weight adjustment mechanism by the model Galileo. Intelligent seating technology instead of complicated adjustments. The chair fits so well to you that you always sit healthy and comfortably.

sit down seat depth seat height

Better operation

Better working

Better working

Glide-Tec keeps you moving – and at the same time allows you to work comfortably in every sitting position. It doesn’t matter if you lean back or sit upright, your hands remain in contact with the writing surface or keyboard in every position.

Standard mechanism Glide-Tec

Better working

Better relaxing

Better relaxing

With Glide-Tec you remain fresh – even at the end of a long sedentary working day. It doesn’t matter which sitting position you use, our innovative seat technology prevents tension, the neck is not overstretched and always stays relaxed – and your head clear.

Standard mechanism Glide-Tec

Better relaxing

Better sitting

Better sitting

Your back needs movement – even during sitting. Because a healthy and strong spinal column is aided by a frequent change between a bent and a straight back.

Glide-Tec+ with its unique lordosis-kyphosis patent, makes this movement possible when sitting and supports the back in every position.

Better sitting with Glide-Tec chairs made possible through the patented CatBack Backrest or the 4-chamber airshape system. These adapt to your back automatically and support it in each position.

Standard mechanism Glide-Tec

Better sitting

GLIDE–TEC

Better workingThe hands remain at the workplace

Better operationSimple to operate

Better relaxingNo over-extension of the neck when reclining

Better sittingThe constant change between a hollow back to a flatter back posture

1. Wippe

2. Permanent-contact

3. Synchronous

4. Glide-Tec

Comparison of different mechanisms for office chairs

Benchmark of the well-known mechanisms in the market

1. mechanism - Wippe

Sitting upright

Sitting relaxed

1. mechanism - Wippe

Movement in ? hinges

1. mechanism - Wippe

8Movement in 8 hinges

1. mechanism - Wippe

Distance to table is extending

1. mechanism - Wippe

Distance to screen is extending

1. mechanism - Wippe

2. mechanism - Permanent contact

Sitting upright

Sitting relaxed

2. mechanism - Permanent contact

Movement in ? hinges

2. mechanism - Permanent contact

7Movement in 7 hinges

2. mechanism - Permanent contact

Distance to table is extending

2. mechanism - Permanent contact

Distance to screen is extending

2. mechanism - Permanent contact

3. Mechanism - Synchronous

Sitting upright

Sitting relaxed

3. Mechanism - Synchronous

Movement in ? hinges

3. Mechanism - Synchronous

8Movement in 8 hinges

3. Mechanism - Synchronous

Distance to table is extending

3. Mechanism - Synchronous

Distance to screen is extending

3. Mechanism - Synchronous

4. mechanism - Glide-Tec

Sitting upright

Sitting relaxed

4. mechanism - Glide-Tec

Movement in ? hinges

4. mechanism - Glide-Tec

26Sitting relaxed

Movement in 26 hinges

4. mechanism - Glide-Tec

Distance to table unchanged

4. mechanism - Glide-Tec

Distance to screen nearly

unchanged

4. mechanism - Glide-Tec

Wippe

Permanent

Synchron

Glide-Tec

Indicator for movement and distance for mechanism in office chairs

Upright sitting Relaxed sitting

mechanism Indicatorfor movement

of hinges

8

7

8

26

Distance totable

Indicator fordistance

In cm

20

20

20

0

Thank you!