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A chair with a platform setup to measure the forces under each thigh when sitting, rising from a chair and sitting down

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Abstract

This paper describes the design, technical characteristics and first results of an adjustable instrumented chair with a sitting surface that records the forces under each thigh. The seat includes a force platform assembly suitable for measuring the magnitude, position and direction of the force applied to each thigh while sitting or rising from the chair. The natural frequency of the chair fixed to the floor was found to be 14.0 ± 2 Hz with an estimated damping of ξ = 0.20. Static tests showed that the maximal errors were 2% of the full-scale output (726 N vertically, 164 N horizontally) for both vertical and horizontal forces. The root mean square error of the center of pressure location was estimated as 5 mm. Preliminary data on the net joint moment at the hips of one healthy subject computed with and without consideration for the forces under the thighs revealed significant amplitude differences. In conclusion, the results indicate that the characteristics of the instrumented chair are acceptable and the chair can be used to assess the biomechanics of sitting and sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks in various subject populations.

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported by grants from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) and FRSQ/REPAR. Dr. Nadeau holds a junior scientist salary from FRSQ. The participation of Lesley Kelley-Régnier in revising the English text is also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation, Institut de réadaptation de Montréal, 6300, rue Darlington, H3S 2J4, Montreal, QC, Canada

    S. Nadeau, P. Desjardins, A. Brière, G. Roy & D. Gravel

  2. École de réadaptation, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, H3C 3J7, Montreal, QC, Canada

    S. Nadeau, P. Desjardins, G. Roy & D. Gravel

  3. École de réadaptation, Université de Montréal, Chercheure laboratoire de pathokinésiologie, 6300 avenue Darlington, H3S 2J4, Montreal, QC, Canada

    S. Nadeau

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  1. S. Nadeau
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  2. P. Desjardins
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  3. A. Brière
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  4. G. Roy
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  5. D. Gravel
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Correspondence to S. Nadeau.

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Nadeau, S., Desjardins, P., Brière, A. et al. A chair with a platform setup to measure the forces under each thigh when sitting, rising from a chair and sitting down. Med Biol Eng Comput 46, 299–306 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0301-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0301-z

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