Educational Research AY2016/2017

Background: Studies have been done on the mismatch between classroom furniture and students’ anthropometric measurements. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews done regarding the mismatch between classroom furniture and primary school students’ (6-12years old) students’ body dimensions. Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to examine the match/mismatch between classroom furniture (desks and seats) and body dimensions of primary school students and to also identify any furniture features which have been found to be mismatched across the current literature. Methods: Online literature databases EBSCO, Google scholar and ScienceDirect were searched. Publications were then excluded or included based on a full review of titles, abstracts, methodology, research findings and discussions. Publications were included when they reported findings and compared the match between the students’ body dimensions and classroom furniture. Results: All studies reviewed indicated a common mismatch between desk height and Elbow rest height, seat height and Popliteal height and seat depth and Popliteal-buttocks length. Conclusion: Seat height, seat depth and desk height were found to be common furniture features in contributing heavily to the mismatch between students’ anthropometry and furniture features. There should be an added focus in matching these furniture features to students’ anthropometry.