Anthropometric Mismatch in Indian Classroom Bench Desk Furniture: A Cross-Sectional Study of Seat Depth, Seat Height, and Desk Height Among Secondary School Students in Ahmedabad

Disha Shah, Dr. Arun Kushwaha

Abstract: The discrepancy between the furniture in classrooms and the dimensions of the students is well known around the world, but there is very little empirical data available regarding the combined bench-and-desk type of furniture commonly found in Indian schools, particularly with respect to seat depth. In this study we aimed to calculate mismatch indices (MI) for seat height, desk height, and seat depth between Grade 8 and Grade 9 students and the seven bench-desk units used at a private school in Ahmedabad, India, and also to obtain the students' own assessments of their postural comfort by means of a structured questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was carried out at School S01 in Ahmedabad. Anthropometric measurements were taken for eleven dimensions in a group of 38 students (20 in Grade 8 and 18 in Grade 9; mean age 13.7 ± 0.7 years), and the seven bench-desk units were measured across 31 variables. Mismatch indices were calculated for seat height, desk height, and seat depth, and the under-desk clearance was checked to see whether it met the minimum thigh-clearance requirement (thigh thickness plus 20 mm). The seat height mismatch indices varied from -9.9% to +13.0%, and overall 72% of the student-bench combinations were mismatched. The desk height mismatch indices ranged from +3.7% to +16.4% (76% of the combinations were mismatched). Every single pairing was found to have a mismatch in seat depth: all seven benches (240?256 mm) were considerably below the recommended minimum of 335 mm. Although the under-desk clearance was physically adequate for all students, 92% of them said that they felt they had too little leg room, a situation which 84% of the students attributed to the storage of their schoolbags under the desk. The results from the questionnaire closely matched the physical measurements: 79% of the students reported having no back support, 87% described sitting in a non-neutral posture, and 82% said that discomfort began after 45 minutes. To our knowledge this is the first study to have quantified the seat depth mismatch in Indian classroom furniture using a mismatch-index method, and it shows that seat depth is a universal deficiency which has hitherto remained largely unmeasured. The results provide empirical support for revising BIS IS 4837 and also offer a field-tested protocol for the larger multi-school study which is now being planned.

Keywords: School furniture, ergonomics, anthropometry, mismatch index, bench?desk, seat depth, India

How to Cite?: Disha Shah, Dr. Arun Kushwaha, "Anthropometric Mismatch in Indian Classroom Bench Desk Furniture: A Cross-Sectional Study of Seat Depth, Seat Height, and Desk Height Among Secondary School Students in Ahmedabad", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1970-1977, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26825155504, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26825155504

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