ABSTRACT
Introduction Surveying the 20 years since the publication of Åkerblom’s (1948) study, one cannot but be struck by the fascination the subjects of sitting and seating exert on ergonomists, designers and the general public. Yet this interest does not appear to have led to much improvement in the general quality of seats, nor has it stemmed the tide of clinical complaints and backpains. The assertion of a causal connection between seats and body malfunctions would therefore not be altogether unjustified, however difficult to prove such a connection may be. Even so, general principles for the improvement of seats still remain to be formulated.
