Workstation Adjustments - Chair Backrest

When you are adjusting your chair's backrest, keep in mind the following points:

• It used to be thought that an upright posture, with your hips at a 90 degree angle to your back, was best. However, recent research has found that this places strain on your lower back.
• The optimum angle is now thought to be a reclined posture of between 105 to 130 degrees to even out pressure on your discs. This also reduces the amount of body weight your spine has to support, as the chair's backrest takes some of the load.
• The height of the backrest should be adjusted so the curve fits the curve of your lower back.
• The backrest should be set to a sufficient depth so that the seat gives the right amount of support for your legs. It should not be so close to the seat that there is a large gap between the back of your knees and the front of the seat.

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