Research on dynamic comfort maintenance by measuring lower limb edema and seat pressure during simulated seated sleep in flight

The objective of this research was to study passengers' dynamic comfort maintenance strategy in lower limb postural sifting during seated sleep in flight. Seated sleep during flight that can bring significant discomfort to passengers.-MethodsStudies on seated sleep postures and sitting comfort were conducted. First, forty participants were recruited in the observational research for collecting typical leg postures during seated sleep. Then, an experiment was conducted with the participants simulating seated sleep in the aircraft seat. The changes in lower limb edema and seat pressure in different postures were measured with a bioelectrical impedance device, near-infrared spectroscopy device and pressure mapping device.-ResultsSix postures were selected through the observational research. The experiment results showed that tissues of thigh and buttock suffer alternate higher compression by shifting between six postures. The lower limb edema is higher when shanks are forward, while the tissue under the ischial tuberosity suffers higher compression when shanks are neutral.-Discussion and conclusionSix motivations for passengers to shift each sitting posture to achieve dynamic comfort were summarized, which helps to obtain alternating rests in different body parts. The suggestion of a leg position adjustment system was also proposed.PMID:37401853 | DOI:10.1080/10803548.2023.2232635
Source: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Source Type: research