Laboratory Study of Factors Affecting Sitting Comfort and Discomfort
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3.7 Interactions of discomfort factors with relax in comfort perception
An almost extreme level of mean comfort 6.5 was perceived by the subjects in the presence of extreme levels of relaxation while sitting. Extremes levels of mean
comfort were associated with extreme levels of relaxation and lower levels of discomfort factors. Generally, relaxation levels 5 and 6 in association with
discomfort factor level 5 produced below-moderate levels of mean comfort Table 9. Relaxation level 7 in association with discomfort factor level 6 produced mean
comfort of 3.0. These results suggest that higher levels of discomfort factors were dominant over the higher levels of relaxation in perceiving comfort while sitting.
Higher levels of emotional factor relaxation became secondary when moderate or higher levels of physical discomfort factors were present. The results obtained
support the findings by Helander and Zhang 1997 that physical factors are dominant over emotional factors in comfort and discomfort perception. The present
results indicate that physical comfort needs are primary. Unless physical comfort needs are fulfilled, emotional comfort factors will affect comfort perception.
Generally, the presence of higher levels of relaxation factor i.e., 5, 6 and 7 was higher with the lower levels of discomfort factors below 4. These associations also
produced higher levels of mean comfort in general than did other combinations Table 9. Higher levels of relaxation were less frequent in the presence of higher
levels of discomfort factors i.e., 5, 6 and 7 than at lower levels of discomfort. However, any association of this kind produced low levels of mean comfort. When
relaxation level increased, mean comfort increased and this happened only while discomfort level was below 4. The results suggest that the transition of the sensation
of relaxation from its dominant state to non-dominant state occurs at relaxation level 5 and when discomfort factor levels are level 4 or greater. The transition of
discomfort factors from a dominant state to a non-dominant state may occur at discomfort levels 4 or less. According to the results presented, non-dominant zone
for relaxation and discomfort factors may include relaxation levels between 1 and 5 and discomfort factors levels between 1 and 4. This may indicate that discomfort
factors and relaxation can co-exist at certain levels. This is almost consistent with those obtained in Thariq and Munasinghe under review.
Table 9. Interactions of discomfort factors average ratings of discomfort factors
with relaxation in comfort perception
Discomfort factor level Relaxation
Level 1 2 3
4 5
6 1
-- -- 2.0
-- 1.0
--
2
4.0 4.0 4.3 3.0
2.0 --
3 3.0 3.3 3.6
3.3 1.7 --
4 4.7 4.2 4.1
3.7 4.0 --
5 5.0 4.9 5.1
4.0 3.0 --
6 6.0 5.8 6.0
5.0 3.0 --
7 5.0 6.5 -- -- -- 3.0
Note: ‘--‘ means combination of factors was not observed .
M.G.Mohamed Thariq et al. AJE Vol.9 2009 79-98
92
3.8 Interactions of discomfort factors with relief in comfort perception
An extreme level of mean comfort level 7 was produced while relief was at extreme levels and sensation of discomfort factors was at lower levels Table 10.
The association of relief levels 5 and 6 with discomfort factor level 5 produced mean comfort of 3.0 in both cases. These results show that the feeling of relief at higher
levels is influenced when higher levels of discomfort factors are present. This suggests that the presence of higher levels of discomfort factors physical strain
factor influences comfort perception. The results presented further indicate that physical comfort needs are primary. If physical comfort needs are not satisfied i.e.,
if higher levels of discomfort factors are present, the contribution of a higher sensation of relief to comfort perception diminishes.
Generally, the presence of higher levels of relief i.e., 5, 6 and 7 was higher when the discomfort levels were below level 4. These interactions also produced
higher levels of mean comfort in general than did other combinations Table 10. The presence of higher levels of relief sensations was very low in the presence of
higher levels of discomfort factors. However, this type of association produced low levels of mean comfort. When relief level increased, mean comfort increased and
this happened while discomfort level was below 4. The results suggest that, at similar sensations of relaxation, the transition of the sensations of relief from a
dominant state to a non-dominant state may occur at level 5. At this stage discomfort factors levels reach level 4 from lower levels. The transition of discomfort
factors from a dominant state to a non-dominant state may take place at level 4 or below. Therefore, the non-dominant zone between relief and discomfort factors may
include relief levels from 1 to 5 and discomfort factors levels from 1 to 4. The results also suggest, as in the case of impression and relax, that discomfort factors and relief
factor can co-exist at certain levels. These results are consistent with those by Thariq and Munasinghe under review.
Table 10.
Interactions of relief with discomfort factors average ratings of discomfort factors in comfort perception
Discomfort factor level Relief
Level 1 2 3
4 5
6 1
-- -- 5.0
-- 1.0
--
2 -- 3.8
3.5 3.2
2.2 --
3 -- 3.3
3.4 3.0
1.5 --
4 4.2 4.2 4.2
3.8 4.0
3.0
5 5.2 5.1 4.7
4.8 3.0 --
6 6.0 6.1 5.7 -- 3.0 --
7
6.5 7.0 7.0 -- -- -- Note: ‘--‘ means combination of factors was not observed
.
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