The two eligible studies for this review provide moderate evidence that saddle seats provided lower ergonomic risk than conventional seats in the examined population of dental students
OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to verify whether the saddle seat provides lower ergonomic risk than conventional seats in dentistry .
A dental stool with chest support reduces lower back muscle activation
Activation of back musculature during work tasks leads to fatigue and potential injury . This is especially prevalent in dentists who perform much of their work from a seated position . We examined the use of an ergonomic dental stool with mid-sternum chest support for reducing lower back muscle activation . Electromyography of lower back extensors was assessed from 30 dental students for 20 s during three conditions in r and om order : ( a ) sitting upright at 90 ° of hip flexion on a st and ard stool , ( b ) leaning forward at 80 ° of hip flexion on a st and ard stool , and ( c ) leaning forward at 80 ° of hip flexion while sitting on an ergonomic stool . Muscular activity of the back extensors was reduced when using the ergonomic stool compared to the st and ard stool , by 33–50 % ( p < 0.01 ) . This suggests a potential musculoskeletal benefit with use of a dental stool with mid-sternum chest support
The two eligible studies for this review provide moderate evidence that saddle seats provided lower ergonomic risk than conventional seats in the examined population of dental students
OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to verify whether the saddle seat provides lower ergonomic risk than conventional seats in dentistry .