Evaluation of Mattress Surface Curves with sEMG and Body Pressure Distribution Analysis Based on Vacuum Mattress

Sleep is a crucial aspect of human daily life, and the performance of a mattress plays a significant role in sleep comfort. In order to investigate the impact of different mattress curves on muscle activity and contact pressure on the human body, this study utilized three-dimensional scanning techniques on deformable vacuum mattress and obtained four types of mattress curves (no curve, knee elevation, hip subsidence and shoulder elevation) impacting sleep biomechanics comfort during supine sleeping postures. The surface electromyography (sEMG) and pressure distribution measurements were conducted on 12 participants targeting the muscles including the trapezius, erector spinae, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris on four mattress curves. The results indicated that the elevated knee curve and sinking hip curve have a relaxing effect on the erector spinae muscle. Compared to non curved mattresses, the three types of curved mattresses significantly reduce the maximum pressure peak. Through the integration of sEMG and pressure distribution analyses, the sinking hip curve exhibited the highest level of sleep comfort. This study objectively elucidates the impact of positional curves on human sleep comfort and providing guidance for mattress design.