Pressure Study

Author: Broda Seating
Published: 19 May 2009


The following outlines the results of a pressure study performed with a test subject on various surfaces including Broda's Comfort Tension Seating™. Testing was performed with a Tekscan Model 5330- 32 x 32 Element Sensory Array.

The sensor processing software calculated the following information:

Peak Pressure (mmHg)
Highest reading recorded at one or more sensors
Average Contact Pressure (mmHg)
Mathematical average of all non-zero elements

Subject: Male, 5'6", 200 lbs.
Each test chair had armrests removed. Test subject's feet remained flat on the floor or footrest (with knees at an approx. 90° angle) to maintain a consistent body position throughout each test for accuracy purposes.(except when tested in the tilt and recline position in the Broda 785)

Surfaces and Results

Peak and average pressures are average after one hour of sitting.

Wheelchair sling with no additional padding.

Wheelchair sling with no additional padding
Peak Pressure:
79.4 mmHg
Average Pressure:
20.5 mmHg

Leading pressure relief Air Cushion on wheelchair sling.

Wheelchair sling with no additional padding
Peak Pressure:
46.3 mmHg
Average Pressure:
16.8 mmHg

Broda 785 Comfort Tension Seating™ with Broda Terrycloth covered 1" foam pad - upright position.

Wheelchair sling with no additional padding
Peak Pressure:
44.8 mmHg
Average Pressure:
16.9 mmHg

Broda 785 Comfort Tension Seating™ with Broda Terrycloth covered 1" foam pad - Approx. 38° full seat tilt, 45° semi recline.

Wheelchair sling with no additional padding
Peak Pressure:
20.3 mmHg
Average Pressure:
8.0 mmHg

Results: The Broda 785 Comfort Tension Seating™ with terry cloth covered 1" foam pad, and utilization of full seat tilt and partial recline, achieves the lowest peak and average pressure readings of the above tests.

The information and images in this document are for reference purposes only and depicts results applicable only to the specific test conditiions and test subject that was studied.