Ergonomic considerations for big older dudes
 

I try to be a health conscious person; I use a sit stand desk and try to comply to ergonomic standards which are highly available for office work.

It would seem like anything that consumes a decent chunk of our time should give consideration to ergonomics. I spend a total of about 50 minutes in my FRS each day making my commute. And I probably get in and out my car car8-10 times a day. I've owned the car for a little over a year and I've developed some knee pain which I noticed intensifies during the commute. I'm 38, 6 2, and about 210lbs.

I've noticed that I've molded my behavior getting in and out of the car in my cars best interest. The previous owner had scuffed the door near the driverside speaker by continually rubbing it with their foot. When I first got the car I noticed I was doing the same thing. Well, I quickly amended that habbit but the unfortunate result is a game of twister when climbing in, and out of the car. The issue is exacerbated in confined spaces; such as narrow parking situations.

My seat position is all the way back on the rails, but the seat angle is relatively upright. The upright position allows my arms to comfortably reach the steering wheel, but my gd hair is touching the ceiling and my line of site seems way too high on the windshield. All of these factor have led me to ponder I sad potentiality... that I'm too damn big, and too damn old for this car! That's not a concession one enjoys entertaining. Before I sell this fun lil bastard for a bloated challenger I thought I'd see if I was the only big old guy trying to make things work with this car. Perhaps there are some strategies I haven't considered. :iono:

@Ultramaroon care to comment?

I know a guy who is much bigger, and much older than you that DDs a twin. He hangs out here.

Edit: shoot, tcoat beat me

Don't know what to tell you.

I'm 43, 6'2" and 195 (that 15lbs may be the difference), and I don't have any issues. I do have long'ish arms - I wear a 44 long jacket - so my seat is all the way back and the seatback is also back a fair bit. Even if I move the seatback more upright for AutoX or track driving though, my helmet doesn't touch the ceiling (maybe get a haircut? ;) :D).

I do scuff the door card a bit getting in and out if I'm in a tight parking space and can't open the door all the way, but I guess I just don't worry about it.

And seat padding, back, lumbar support, under the knee supports to change leg angle? Bunch of stuff out there for car seat position changing/comfort.

When getting into your car, watch your left foot ( assuming LHD) and try to keep it pointing parallel to your hips. Also, try bending your left knee as little as possible, you may find opportunities to distribute the stress of entering/exiting the car if you're cognizant of these behaviors and seek to adjust them. Make sure as you lean into the car, your left foot leaves its contact patch to avoid this twist as you sit down. Much easier said than done.

Everything feels strange at first, but I had this exact same pain, and changing my left foot pivot ultimately resolved it.

EDIT: Also, before exiting the vehicle, put the steering wheel all the way up, it'll help to accommodate this change in behavior. Just have to put it down/up each time which can be obnoxious.
EDITEDIT:: And do be careful of having the seat perfectly upright, you may start introducing sciatica pain and be -much- worse off.

Thanks DarkPira7e, I will attempt to give your suggestions a shot although I'm having a difficult time visualizing the movement. I am a left handed driver, I'll try the parallel movements with minimized knee bend to see where that gets me.

Stevesnj; do you have some example product links? I'm curious about the knee support in particular.

As another random tidbit; I believe I have an unusually long upperbody perhaps due to a sixth lumbar vertebra. My brother; who owns an mx-5 was laughing it up one eve as we observed how much taller I was, but only when sitting down lol.

https://www.wikihow.com/Sit-in-a-Car-Without-Back-Pain The first step shown here is what I'm trying to explain, haha. Sitting hips first is the best way to explain it, I like how this article puts it. I know full well that with this car, it is nearly impossible.

First off, I suggest you screw your car's best interest as far as getting in and out, just treat the scuffing area with something slippery and let it take care of itself.

Second thing, I suggest you do your best to find parking spaces where you can open the door all the way.

Third off, take your time getting in and out of the car, your knee will thank you.

I ain't big but I'm relatively old.


humfrz

Relatively? Compared to the sun?

I'm 37, 6'5" and back up to 350lbs (:cry:) with a host of knee and ankle problems, and have no issues DD'ing the BRZ. Though my weight might be up there I do go to the gym 5-6 days a week (just proof you can't out-train your diet lol). I do admit I'd like a bit more headroom, it's fine for a daily but I doubt I'll ever be able to get in there with a helmet on.

If it's not already, maybe lowering the seat will help? Press down on the lever a few times.

I've found entering hips first makes it harder to get in and out. I generally step into the car, bend slightly and sit down, bringing my left leg in afterwards. Only issue is on windy days it'll blow the door into my leg if I don't hold it... :bellyroll:

I gave up on keeping the speaker area scuff free as I'm usually wearing my knee brace that scratches it. If it gets too bad I'll just replace the surround.

Is the knee pain only when getting in, out, or both? Maybe your legs are just tightening up as you drive? I have similar dimensions and age, with a destroyed femur, and have no problems getting in or out.

That being said, I prefer to sit up closer to the wheel while I drive and slide the seat back the few clicks before I exit. I'm not as stretched out when I drive or leaned forward to get to the wheel.

I couldn't agree more with being able to open your door fully. In my garage I can only open the door half way and I have to do gymnastics to get in and out. Outside where I can open the door fully, I can just slip in and out without much effort. Of course being 5'6 and about 130 lbs helps too.

Welp, back-in-the-day, when I was 5'6" and weighed 130 lbs., I didn't even have to open the door - :D


humfrz