The Determination of the Measurements of 5-7 Ages Depending on the Education System and Adapting to School Furniture in Turkey

Abstract

This research presents the results of an anthropometrical survey conducted on male and female children aged five, six and seven in Trabzon, Turkey. A set of body dimensions was taken from a total of 293 children (155 females, 137 males) chosen from 11 schools that had more than 200 students in the first grade of Primary School in central Trabzon, Turkey. According to rule no: 12/278 of the Turkish government made in 2012-2013, children of the age of five had to attend first grade. This resulted in three different aged groups of children, studying in the same classroom and using the same seating.

It was considered that in order to discover differences among students’ anthropometry using the existing  seating equipment, 12 necessary parameters should be analyzed: studying and sitting structure, eye, shoulder, elbow, knee and calf height, buttock-knee, buttock-calf depth, shoulder, hip breadth and maximum horizontal reach.

These 12 body dimensions were all measured in a static position. The information given in this paper can be used by the local furniture industry or as a starting point for designing more appropriate furniture for schools and children to minimize musculoskeletal, visual and circulatory problems resulting from badly designed elements.