Changes in wheelchair configuration can influence the ergonomics of manual wheelchair propulsion. Reducing the biomechanical loads may benefit users' mobility, independence and social participation.

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sustenta na ciência e nos conhecimentos adquiridos com os avanços tecnológicos, visando o desenvolvimento de novos produtos e uma melhor compreensão de seus usuários. Uma das importantes áreas que o Design se aliou é a neurociência. Esta foi capaz de revelar novas possibilidades para conhecer e compreender melhor a natureza da cognição e da conduta humana. Deste modo, a neurociência proporciona uma alternativa cientifica para explicar o comportamento das pessoas durante o uso de produtos e sistemas. Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender a aplicação da neurociência nas disciplinas de marketing, ergonomia e design, além de estabelecer uma reflexão introdutória a respeito da incorporação da neurociência no design nas esferas acadêmica e profissional, além de estabelecer uma reflexão introdutória a respeito da incorporação da neurociência no design nas esferas acadêmica e profissional. Palavras-chave:

[Purpose] This study was aimed at investigating the influence of seat height and body posture on the activity of the superior trapezius and longissimus muscles. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty two healthy subjects were instructed to perform a total of eight different body postures, varying according three main factors: seat height (low and high seat); trunk inclination (upright and leaning forward at 45°); and the hips in abduction and adduction. Electromyography of the superior trapezius and longissimus was collected bilaterally, and the average values were obtained and compared across all the postures. [Results] The activity of the superior trapezius and longissimus significantly changes according to the seat height and trunk inclination. For both seat heights, sitting with trunk leaning forward resulted in a significant increase in the activity of both muscles. When sitting in a high seat and the trunk leaning forward, the superior trapezius activity was significantly reduced when compared to the same posture in a low seat. [Conclusion] This study contributes to the knowledge on the influence of the body posture and seat configuration on the activity of postural muscles. Reducing the biomechanical loads on the postural muscles must be targeted in order to improve users’ comfort and safety.