Glide-Tec – the mechanism with a patent worldwide

1. Glide-Tec – the mechanism with a patent worldwide

2. Is a human being born to sit? Do office chairs follow natural seating behaviour? healthy? Sickness days per 100 compulsorily insured members Person on a synchronous mechanism chair The length of time spent sitting by “modern” office staff is one of the main causes of illness-related industrial absences. Since sitting in itself is not unnatural, the cause of industrial absences must be looked for in the prevailing seating postures. Evidently we have not made any progress in the area of sitting. Illnesses of the skeleton, the muscles and the connective tissue increased dramatically between 1980 and 1998. In the same period days lost due to other illnesses were able to be reduced because of medical advances (see illustration).

3. Investigation by Prof. Dr. Nachemson (1966) Prof. Dr. Nachemson – measurement of pressure in the intevertebral disc –result 1966 The result: Greater pressure is put on the intervertebral disc when sitting than standing

4. New research findings • 1 subject, fit • Intervertrebral disc not degenerated • 44 years, 70 kg, 168 cm • daily work • physiotherapy • sports Prof. Dr. Wilke – intradiscale measurement of pressure – 1998

5. New research findings Wilke HJ, Neef P, Caimi M, Hoogland T, Claes LE New in vivo measurements of pressures in the intervertebral disc in daily life. Spine 1999 Apr 15;24(8):755-62 Prof. Dr. Wilke – intradiscale measurement of pressure – 1998

6. LW4 LW5 New research findings Loading sensor in the intervertebral disc Prof. Dr. Wilke – intradiscale measurement of pressure – 1998

7. New research findings Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a convex back posture will most noticeably take the load off the spinal column! The Study Who did the research: Independent Lecturer Dr.H-J.Wilke, University of Ulm The aim: To determine the pressure in the intervertebral disc in different postures by the simulation of a very wide variety of people’s working activities. The trial: A measurement probe was inserted into the intervertebral disc of a living human being. The subject carried out different exercises and took up different sitting positions, and at each of these the pressure in the intervertebral disc was measured. The result: When sitting in the hollow back posture the pressure in the intervertebral disc is higher than when seated in a reclining position in a convex back posture. From this it follows that: Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a slightly convex back will most noticeably take the load off the spinal column.

8. New research findings Comparison Nachemson - Wilke Nachemson 1966 500 450 Wilke 1998 400 350 300 250 Nominated on standing in % 200 150 100 50 0 0.12 0.5 1.1 0.46 0.83 0.3 2.3 1.7 0.1 1.1 MPa

9. New research findings Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a convex back posture will most noticeably take the load off the spinal column! The Study Who did the research: Dr.Rohlmann, Free University of Berlin The aim: To determine the fluctuations in pressure in the intervertebral disc in different body positions. The trial: A spinal column fixer fitted with strain gauges was fitted to the subject/patient in an operation (to bridge damaged vertebrae). The pressure sensors measured the pressure at the spinal column in different body positions. The result Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a convex back posture will most noticeably take the load off the spinal column.

10. New research findings Sitting takes the load off the intervertebral disc The result: The trial showed that in the working phase, sitting in a reclining position, no matter whether with the back concave or convex, the height increases and then reduces again when standing. This is explained by the differing pressure on the intervertebral discs, brought about by the body weight and the work of the muscles in holding the body upright. When seated in a reclining position the muscles are relaxed. Part of the body weight is taken by the backrest. The pressure on the intervertebral discs is reduced. Who did the research: Prof.P.Brinckmann, Independent Lecturer Dr.Drerup, K.Ehrenbrusthoff, Institute for experimental biomechanics at the University of Munster The aim: To find the extent to which sitting and standing loaded (put pressure on) the intervertebral disc. The conclusion therefore: The earlier view is proved wrong! - Seated activity, whether with the back concave or convex, leads to an increase in height. The load or pressure on the spinal column is less than when standing, so sitting reduces the load! - The view, disseminated in the literature and in countless training programmes, that a hollow back shape of the lumbar vertebrae column is preferable to a convex back shape when sitting, as the loading is less, is proved wrong in this study. Sitting with a convex back also takes off the load! The trial: A stadiometer (a device for precise measurement of height) provides information about the loading on the spinal column under simulated office activity. The test was split into three phases (each of 30 minutes),in which the subjects stoodin the initial phase,sat in the working phase and stood up again in the follow-up phase. Between the individual phases the height was measured ten times. Taking off the load led to an increase in height, applying a load led to a reduction.

11. New research findings Optimal intervertebral disc nutrition due to alternation of movement The second form of nutrition: Alternating loading and alternating movement The intervertebral disc is nourished like a sponge. Hydration: Taking up fluids with the nutrients dissolved in them. Dehydration: Giving out fluids due to „pressing out“ when under load. The first form of nutrition: Alternating loading Loading/ intervertebral Removing the load/ disc dehydration/ intervertebral disc hydration Loading/ intervertebral disc dehydration Removing the load/ intervertebral disc hydration Training the intervertebral disc by alternating movement from lordosis to kyphosis. Here the load is applied and taken off the intervertebral disc alternately at the front (anterior) and the rear (posterior). Thanks to this intervertebral disc training there will also be a better distribution of the nutrients within the intervertebral disc. Result: Ideal intervertebral disc nutrition is achieved by a combination of alternation of loading and alternation of movement (as depicted above). Thus when sitting a frequent change of the posture of the back and the sitting position is particularly important! A change in the pressure on the intervertebral disc with alternating body posture whilst maintaining the double-S shape of the spinal column. (Example: Changing from standing to upright sitting, in a reclining position.)

12. To sit – right or wrong? Falsches Sitzen im PKW Richtiges Sitzen imPKW B. Reinhardt „Die große Rückenschule; Sitzen - aber wie?“ Demeter Verlag 1998

13. New research findings Up to now Bild a Kyphosis of a lumbar spine as you can see in all literature

14. New research findings Up to now Up to date Kyphosis of the Lumbar spine wrong b right Bild a Lordosis of the Lumbar spine c Kyphosis of a lumbar spine as you can see in all literature

15. New research findings lumbar spine in extreme kyphosis Backrest is still straight

16. New research findings The natural movement of the human back

17. New research findings Who did the research? The research group for Industrial Anthropology at Kiel University under the leadership of Prof.Hans W.Jürgens and Dr.Helbig. The aim: To analyse the movement characteristics on different office chairs during office work. The trial: A video time lapse process records the frequency of the body movements and the change in the angle of the body. An electromagnetic system records and analyses the movement pattern. The result - Those seated on an office chair with “Glide-Tec” sit more than twice as long (41%) in a reclining, relaxed position as those seated on chairs with a conventional synchronous mechanism (19%). - With “Glide-Tec”, in contrast to conventional chairs, the comfort ranges of the body angle are hardly ever kinematically exceeded. In each sitting position the angle of comfort is very favourable. Thus the office chairs with “Glide-Tec” permit natural, dynamic sitting with no impairment to comfort. - The movement patterns show that with “Glide-Tec” even when leaning back the person is still within reach of the keyboard or the edge of the desk. Thus it is possible to work effectively even in a reclining posture.

18. New research findings Who did the research: TNO, the second largest institute in Europe for ergonomic studies, located in Hoofdorp, Holland. The aim: Assessing seating comfort of office chairs by objective measurements. The trial: Based on the LPD-Test (“Local Postural Discomfort” by van der Grinten, 1992), localised impairments to comfort when seated on an office chair are measured with a “body-map” (Illustration on left) and a ten point scale. The investigation was carried out as part of a field study (i.e. not in the laboratory). The result The LPD-Test has shown that the office chair with “Glide-Tec” performs better in every area of the body than an office chair with a conventional synchronous mechanism. The results show that on average for the whole body an office chair with „Glide-Tec“ is assessed as significantly more comfortable than a comparable chair with a conventional synchronous mechanism. It follows that an “active comfort” chair with “Glide-Tec” provides a demonstrably higher level of seating and movement comfort. In addition the load is taken off the neck, shoulders, arms and legs in the lumbar vertebrae area. With “Glide-Tec“ you sit relaxed and healthy.

19. New research findings The study Who did the research: Dr. Elke Maria Deubzer, Psychologyst and leader of the psychological Institute of PMO Munich The aim: the aim was to find out which functions the user takes, which rules the behavior is following, why using some functions and some not and which consequences this have. The trial: A study of users of seats in a fork lift . Every driver has to do three actions: Sitting on the fork lift, adapt the seat and start working. The fork lift was driven by another driver before. The behavior was filmed by a camera and evaluated. Afterwards the drivers were asked how often they adapt the functions and if not, why. The seat has 5 different functions: adapt the distance, backrest adjustment, lordosis adjustment and weight adjustment, and also a safety belt. If functions of a chair are important for health they should be very easy to use or automatically !! The result: No driver is using more than 3 functions. However some functions are legal. More the half of the drivers uses only 1 function! The conclusion therefore: The quality of a seat is shown by supporting the user in working. Sitting is not the target of a user – the target is working. So functions are only used when they are necessary for working.

20. Conclusion 1. Sitting takes the load off the intervertebral disc 2. Sitting comfortably in a reclining position with a convex back posture will most noticeably take the load off the spinal column! 3. Those seated on an office chair with “Glide-Tec” sit more than twice as long (41%) in a reclining, relaxed position as those seated on chairs with a conventional synchronous mechanism (19%). 4. An office chair with “Glide-Tec” provides a demonstrably higher level of seating and movement comfort. In addition the load is taken off the neck, shoulders, arms and legs in the lumbar vertebrae area. With “Glide-Tec“ you sit relaxed and healthy. 5. Ideal nutrition of the intevertebral disc is a combination of changing the load on the Intevertebral disc and changing move. That means: The best sitting position is always the next one!! 6. If functions of a chair are important for health they should be very easy to use or automatical!!

21. GLIDE-TEC What is GLIDE-TEC? Glide-Tec is the world – wide patented swivel chair mechanism of SATO, which provides all necessary requirements for good seating and gives a lot of benefits to your Customer!

22. Better operation Simple to operate Better sitting The constant change between a hollow back to a flatter back posture Better working The hands remain at the workplace Better relaxing No over-extension of the neck when reclining GLIDE–TEC

23. Better operation Better operation Glide-Tec gives you the freedom to sit as you want. You set your desired seat height with a hand grip and, quite automatically, Glide-Tec does the rest for you – for example with the patented weight adjustment mechanism by the model Galileo. Intelligent seating technology instead of complicated adjustments. The chair fits so well to you that you always sit healthy and comfortably.

24. Better operation sit down seat height seat depth

25. Better working Better working Glide-Tec keeps you moving – and at the same time allows you to work comfortably in every sitting position. It doesn’t matter if you lean back or sit upright, your hands remain in contact with the writing surface or keyboard in every position.

26. Better working Standard mechanism Glide-Tec

27. Better relaxing Better relaxing With Glide-Tec you remain fresh – even at the end of a long sedentary working day. It doesn’t matter which sitting position you use, our innovative seat technology prevents tension, the neck is not overstretched and always stays relaxed – and your head clear.

28. Better relaxing Standard mechanism Glide-Tec

29. Better sitting Better sitting Your back needs movement – even during sitting. Because a healthy and strong spinal column is aided by a frequent change between a bent and a straight back. Glide-Tec+ with its unique lordosis-kyphosis patent, makes this movement possible when sitting and supports the back in every position. Better sitting with Glide-Tec chairs made possible through the patented CatBack Backrest or the 4-chamber airshape system. These adapt to your back automatically and support it in each position.

30. Better sitting Standard mechanism Glide-Tec

31. Better operation Simple to operate Better sitting The constant change between a hollow back to a flatter back posture Better working The hands remain at the workplace Better relaxing No over-extension of the neck when reclining GLIDE–TEC

32. Comparison of different mechanisms for office chairs Benchmark of the well-known mechanisms in the market 1. Wippe 2. Permanent-contact 3. Synchronous 4. Glide-Tec

33. 1. mechanism - Wippe Sitting upright

34. 1. mechanism - Wippe Sitting relaxed

35. 1. mechanism - Wippe Movement in ? hinges

36. 1. mechanism - Wippe Movement in 8 hinges 8

37. 1. mechanism - Wippe Distance to table is extending

38. 1. mechanism - Wippe Distance to screen is extending

39. 2. mechanism - Permanent contact Sitting upright

40. 2. mechanism - Permanent contact Sitting relaxed

41. 2. mechanism - Permanent contact Movement in ? hinges

42. 2. mechanism - Permanent contact Movement in 7 hinges 7

43. 2. mechanism - Permanent contact Distance to table is extending

44. 2. mechanism - Permanent contact Distance to screen is extending

45. 3. Mechanism - Synchronous Sitting upright

46. 3. Mechanism - Synchronous Sitting relaxed

47. 3. Mechanism - Synchronous Movement in ? hinges

48. 3. Mechanism - Synchronous Movement in 8 hinges 8

49. 3. Mechanism - Synchronous Distance to table is extending

50. 3. Mechanism - Synchronous Distance to screen is extending