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This paper reports the results of a study comparing the subjective assessment of short and long duration sitting comfort associated with an 80 mile highway drive. Thirty-six subjects evaluated five cars selected from the small car market segment. Subjects completed a comfort assessment questionnaire and were pressure mapped before and after the ride and drive. Subjective evaluation of several seat zones were analyzed and compared to pressure readings. The results for four zones including shoulder, lumbar, ischial tuberosity, and thigh areas are discussed.

A need to develop methodologies to obtain objective measurements of the effects of different seat contours on people is evident. In an effort to monitor muscle activity during static seated postures, electromyography (EMG) was employed. In an experimental setting, fatigue was induced in back extensor muscles for different seated postures. The resultant EMG signals were then sampled bilaterally for three different vertebral levels and the effects of the different seating systems on posture were evaluated. In preliminary tests involving 4 subjects of similar size and build, utilizing three differently contoured seats, findings support the use of EMG to quantify muscular fatigue as a viable means of objectively measuring the effects of different seat contours.