The Science of Seating: Your Complete Guide to Ergonomics

Discover how the right chair can transform your workday, health, and productivity

What Makes a Good Chair?

We've been asking ourselves the same question for over a decade: What makes a chair truly exceptional? How can we scientifically measure comfort and support?

At Sihoo, we believe the answer lies in understanding how your body interacts with your chair throughout the day. That's why we established the Sihoo Ergonomics Research Institute in partnership with leading biomechanics experts, creating a comprehensive approach to seating science.
Our research centres combine:

  • Advanced biomechanical testing laboratories
  • Real-world user experience studies
  • Innovative seating technology development
  • Continuous comfort optimisation systems

Understanding Modern Sitting Postures

Modern work isn't static. Throughout your day, you naturally shift between different postures as you tackle various tasks. Our research has identified 8 key sitting positions that define how we work today:

Posture & Seating - The Foundation of Health

Sitting is one of our most natural postures. It conserves energy, reduces muscle fatigue, and provides the stability needed for precise, detailed work. From writing to designing, coding to creating—sitting enables us to perform complex tasks with greater control and accuracy.

However, this seemingly simple position comes with hidden challenges. Poor sitting posture over extended periods can lead to:

  • Lumbar muscle strain and chronic lower back pain
  • Spinal degeneration and disc problems
  • Reduced blood circulation and cardiovascular issues
  • Neck and shoulder tension
  • Decreased productivity and mental fatigue

Optimal Weight Distribution

Your chair should distribute your body weight evenly across multiple contact points, preventing pressure build-up in any single area. This means your spine, hips, and thighs share the load naturally, allowing your muscles to relax rather than constantly working to maintain position.

Natural Thigh Positioning

The ideal seated position maintains your thighs approximately horizontal, with your feet resting naturally on the floor. This position ensures:

  • Proper blood flow to your lower extremities
  • Reduced pressure on the underside of your thighs
  • Better overall stability and comfort
  • Less strain on your hip flexors and lower back

Multi-Dimensional Support

Your body needs support in multiple planes:

  • Lumbar support for your lower back's natural curve
  • Thoracic support for your upper back alignment
  • Pelvic support to maintain proper hip position
  • Arm support to reduce shoulder and neck strain

This comprehensive support system creates a stable platform for work while preventing the micro-movements that lead to fatigue.

Dynamic Flexibility

Static sitting is the enemy of health. A good chair must facilitate easy transitions between different working postures:

  • Smooth recline for thinking and reading
  • Forward tilt for intensive desk work
  • Side rotation for collaborative discussions
  • Quick adjustments without disrupting workflow

Our Unique SPM Development System

We've developed the industry's first comprehensive SPM (Subjective-Physiological-Motion) feedback system to create chairs that truly work for you:

Subjective Feedback System

Our panel of professional seating evaluators test every design through extended use, rating:

  • Initial comfort impression
  • Support quality over time
  • Ease of adjustment
  • Long-term fatigue levels

Using weighted scoring matrices, we transform subjective experiences into objective data that guides our design improvements.

Physiological Feedback System

Advanced biosensors map exactly how your body interacts with our chairs—from spinal pressure distribution to muscle activity patterns. This physiological data reveals stress points and support gaps invisible to the naked eye, allowing us to optimise comfort at a microscopic level where it matters most.

Motion Feedback System

Work isn't static, and neither should your chair be. We analyse thousands of natural movement patterns—reaching, turning, leaning, shifting—to understand how people actually work. This motion data ensures our chairs support you through every transition, providing dynamic stability that moves with you, not against you.

The Sihoo Difference

  • 2016

    Established our Ergonomics Innovation Centre with full biomechanical testing facilities

  • 2019

    Founded the Sihoo Ergonomics Research Institute to advance the science of seating through collaborative research with industry experts and academic institutions

  • Today

    Leading ergonomic innovation with over 100 researchers, designers, and engineers dedicated to perfecting your seating experience

Pioneering Technology

At Sihoo, we focus on developing breakthrough technologies that transform how people experience comfort. Our research spans long-term ergonomic solutions, forward-thinking design concepts, and revolutionary products that elevate quality of life.

130+ Patents Registered

Our innovations are integrated across our entire product range, ensuring every Sihoo chair benefits from our cutting-edge research and development.

7+
Invention Patents
70+
Utility Patents
74+
Design Patents

The Space Base™ - The Heart of Ergonomic Excellence

Borrowing from aerospace engineering, we've introduced aviation-grade glass fibre technology—a material typically found in rocket shells and helicopter rotors—into office seating. This revolutionary material has passed 300,000 fatigue cycle tests, ensuring decades of reliable performance.

Our Space Base mechanism delivers linear force feedback that automatically adapts to your body weight, achieving 99% precision in recline tension adjustment. Whether you weigh 50kg or 120kg, you'll experience the same effortless "lean back easily, rise without strain" sensation. The synchronised seat-back movement ensures the seat edge never lifts uncomfortably when reclining, eliminating common problems like thigh pressure and lumbar gaps found in conventional chairs.

Domino Dynamic Lumbar System™

Our groundbreaking Domino system creates an entirely new approach to back support. Unlike traditional fixed or split backrests that leave gaps at crucial support points, this system integrates three-dimensional adjustment modules—horizontal, vertical, and depth—into one intelligent lumbar unit.

Working in harmony with the seat, backrest, and your body, the system creates a chain reaction of support that follows your every move. Whether sitting upright or reclining, the lumbar support responds like falling dominoes, continuously adapting its pressure and position to maintain perfect spinal alignment.

6D Bionic Armrest Technology

As the industry's most versatile armrest system, our 6D Bionic technology doubles the adjustability of conventional armrests. Beyond standard up-down, forward-back, and horizontal rotation, we've added inward-outward adjustment, vertical pivot, and synchronised tilt functions.

This biomimetic design mirrors the natural movement of human arms, supporting every working position—from intensive typing to relaxed reading, collaborative discussions to focused analysis. Your arms find perfect support no matter how you work.

Adaptive Dynamic Lumbar Technology

Inspired by the natural curve of the human spine, our dynamic lumbar system features the industry's first 6D auto-morphing support mechanism. It adjusts in all directions—up, down, left, right, forward, and backward—creating a personalised embrace for every user.

Equipped with automotive-grade actuators supporting 90-105 degree adjustment ranges, the system delivers precise support regardless of your posture or body type, ensuring your lower back receives optimal support throughout your workday.

Ready to transform your workday?

Discover how Sihoo's ergonomic innovation can revolutionise your comfort and productivity. Join over 3 million users worldwide who've already made the switch to healthier seating.