Background
A lumbar roll is a valuable tool that improves Pilates practice by boosting spinal health and giving comfort. A lumbar roll specifically intended to support the lower back is critical in promoting and avoiding medical disorders such as kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis. It also provides head and cervical spine support, which aids in perfect alignment during pilates movements.
When the practitioner conducts back exercises, such as the Ab series, the lumbar support will aid in narrowing the space between the back and the mat caused by lordosis or scoliosis to align the spine better and improve performance. The lumbar roll is preferable to utilizing a rolled towel while performing rolling exercises on the mat, offering constant and stable support.
Product Development
Sedentary activities have increased significantly in modern life, with people spending eight to ten hours a day sitting in offices and at home in front of computers. Long periods of sitting have led to the development of muscular stereotypes, in which deep and superficial muscles are exposed to habitual demands throughout time (Sui et al., 2020). As a result, many people suffer from back discomfort, which can significantly influence their everyday life and general well-being.
Back pain can be caused by muscular tension, spasms, and other forms of dorsopathies, and it can progress to chronic pain over time. Surprisingly, more than 85% of patients seeking primary care for back pain cannot pinpoint the source of their discomfort (Lei et al., 2021). As a result, treating back discomfort necessitates a practical and affordable solution. Statistics demonstrate that using a lumbar roll pillow to treat back pain speeds healing, lowers dependency on medicine, and enhances the pain-free duration of life (Lei et al., 2021). Incorporating a lumbar roller built exclusively for pilates practices would give individuals an accessible and cheap alternative to prevent intervertebral disc degradation, muscular frame weakening, and metabolic issues in the spine.
Product-Related Aspects
Pilates is a well-known workout regimen that improves strength, flexibility, and core stability. Maintaining good alignment and support for the body throughout exercises is critical to maximize Pilates’s advantages. The Ergonomic Memory Foam Roller with Cooling Gel Layer is a ground-breaking tool created exclusively for Pilates practitioners. The following are the product’s primary advantages, including adjustability, ergonomics, cooling technology, and a washable cover, which contribute to a better Pilates experience.
Personalised Support and Adaptability
The Ergonomic Memory Foam Roller is designed to conform to each user’s shape, providing personalized support and optimum comfort. By covering the space between the waist and the mat, the memory foam core, recognized for its ability to mold to the body, encourages appropriate alignment.
Ergonomic Design for the Best Comfort
The ergonomic design of the roller distinguishes it from regular rollers. Its curved form mirrors the body’s natural curvature, delivering outstanding comfort during activities. The memory foam core cushions and provides soft yet strong support, allowing practitioners to move comfortably. The roller prevents injuries and improves effective muscle activation by preserving optimal alignment.
Cooling Gel Technology for Temperature Management
Excess heat from intense workouts can cause pain and decreased performance. The Ergonomic Memory Foam Roller overcomes this issue with its revolutionary cooling gel layer. This technology absorbs heat, giving a cool sensation that aids with body temperature regulation. The cooling gel layer keeps practitioners cool, focused, and energized throughout their Pilates exercises, allowing them to perform fully.
A Breathable and Washable Hygiene Cover
Maintaining cleanliness while exercising is essential for a healthy and enjoyable workout experience. The breathable and washable cover of the roller is made of high-quality, long-lasting materials that facilitate air circulation. This function prevents moisture and bad odors from accumulating, guaranteeing a clean and fresh roller for each use. The cover is readily removed and cleaned, contributing to the roller’s durability and sanitary condition.
Restrictions & Project-Related Conditions
This study investigates the constraints and project-related circumstances that must be considered while creating and proposing the usage of the memory foam roller. Activity is restricted when the angle of curvature of the spine surpasses 10 degrees (Fazli, Kesikburun, Yilmaz, & Yazicioglu, 2019). Furthermore, Sui, Wang, Shi, and Wang (2020) emphasize that using the memory foam roller is banned in the presence of considerable deviations from the norm that do not fall into the category of the disease’s first degree.
Several variables must be examined when selecting whether to utilize a memory foam roller for those with scoliosis or lordosis. These include the characteristics and degree of scoliosis/lordosis, the disease’s intricacy, the dynamics of pathology development, and an orthopedist’s suggestions (Lei, Ji, & Wang, 2021). To minimize future scoliosis development, change posture regularly and avoid holding the same body position for 30 minutes (Aydogdu, Kesikburun, & Yazicioglu, 2023).
Every 1-2 hours, simple back-relaxing activities should be performed (Lei et al., 2021). Heavy physical workouts with the roller that entail persistent strain on the spine should also be avoided, as they might deteriorate posture and potentially lead to intervertebral hernias that require surgical intervention (Wong, Parent, & Dhillon, 2019). The memory foam roller’s development necessitates careful consideration of the constraints and project-related factors linked with scoliosis and lordosis.
Project Planning
Design Project Method
This research investigates the best design project technique for creating a memory foam lumbar roll. Given the original difficulty, combining theoretical and practical research is warranted, considering the necessity to integrate medical evidence with practical patient comfort. The primary aim is to relieve back pain, whereas interfering symptoms include high-cost and time-consuming doctor appointments.
The heuristic technique is the best design project strategy for developing the memory foam lumbar roll. This approach allows for the investigation of important ideas. It is based on analogy principles, in which comparable ideas are analyzed for their benefits and drawbacks before developing distinct notions. In this scenario, the genuine objective is to utilize posture-correcting equipment at home to relieve back discomfort.
The heuristic technique is divided into three stages: discovering an appropriate solution principle, implementing it, and checking and modifying it based on specific job conditions.
- The first solution entails using a low-cost corrective device to alleviate back pain.
- The memory foam lumbar roll, especially a lumbar roll pillow, was developed based on the idea of the solution. This component is inspired by rival concepts, such as lumbar roll pillows for sleeping or sitting (He et al., 2023).
- Modifying the lumbar roll cushion’s size and filling material to improve its effectiveness and comfort further enhances the solution idea.
Execution Planning
Execution planning is critical to the effective implementation of a project. The memory foam lumbar roll project entails making a lumbar roll pillow out of memory foam, including a cooling gel layer, and providing a breathable cover with a zipper on the bottom side to minimize lower back pain.
Quality planning, creating quality standards based on evidence-based medical literature, and doing research on ideal sizes and materials are all part of the project’s content. Creating a design of the lumbar roll pillow, evaluating resource costs, specifying particular works, documenting technical dependencies, and resolving work limits are the major steps of execution.
The following is the expected cost breakdown for the memory foam lumbar roll project in UAE dirham:
- 55 AED for memory foam material (40 cm length, 8.5 cm height, 12 cm wide) (Wong et al., 2019).
- Case cover cloth (40 cm length, 8.5 cm height, 12 cm wide) – 18 AED (Fazli et al., 2019).
- 3 AED for ultra-strong threads (Wong et al., 2019). The total cost is projected to be 76 AED.
Specific works and technological dependencies:
- Make a pattern for a lumbar roll cushion.
- Produce a picture report.
- Keep a written record of each stage of work.
- Make a safety message for customers, including a list of contraindications.
Appropriate Tools & Techniques
Choosing the right tools and approaches is critical to the success of any project. This bachelor’s APA6 essay investigates the necessary equipment and strategies for constructing the memory foam roller. It will cover quality planning and research, drawing creation, product development, picture report, written record formation, and safety note creation. Synthesis and analysis techniques will determine the appropriate sizes and materials throughout the quality planning and research phase to ensure optimal solutions.
Ready-Made Product
The Memory Foam Lumbar Roll with Cooling Gel Layer (Prototype) is a finished product that demonstrates the lumbar roll’s revolutionary design and characteristics. The prototype demonstrates the use of a cooling gel layer sewn on top of memory foam to provide great comfort and support. The permeable, normally white cover may be customized to fit individual preferences, providing a personalized touch.
Assessment Steps
Marking Details Verification
- Four types of markings (trademark label, trademark image tape, stamp, and control tape) are examined for appropriate attachment (Aydogdu et al., 2023).
- Symbols for care instructions are checked to verify proper placement and compliance with regulations.
Appearance Quality Control
The product is compared to a reference sample and the model’s technical description to guarantee visual conformance.
Product Inspection
This step includes various quality control aspects, such as the product’s fit in interaction with the spine, conformity of linear measurements, assessment of manufacturing quality, and evaluation of the materials used (Hong et al., 2022).
Criteria for Evaluation
- Compliance with medical practice regarding materials, finishes, and accessories chosen.
- Alignment with the product’s practical purpose.
- Observance of the fundamental rules of spatial composition (Fazli et al., 2019).
Checks for Product Fit and Quality
A mannequin is used to analyze product fit. Key indicators for product fit include balance in the posture of the mannequin’s back and neck, the height of the mannequin’s shoulders, and the length of the product (Lei et al., 2021). The assessment processes indicated in this scheme are critical in verifying the memory foam lumbar roll’s quality and performance. The design project may be successfully assessed by confirming marking details, performing appearance quality control, inspecting, and analyzing product fit. The assessment criteria give a complete framework for analyzing the product’s compliance and quality.
Learning Processes Description
Easy Parts
Forming the memory foam lumbar roll requires various learning processes, some of which are easier than others. The following are the simple portions encountered during the memory foam lumbar roll learning stages.
- Research in Literature. The procedure for performing literature research is pretty simple. When selecting information sources, consider competent authors with scientific degrees, references to original materials, and the availability of reviews. These elements contribute to the dependability and trustworthiness of the information obtained.
- Make a Portrait of the Buyer. Creating a portrait of the target consumer is simpler, especially for those with marketing experience. Using marketing knowledge and abilities gives a better grasp of the target audience’s preferences, requirements, and expectations.
- Work Outline. Work planning becomes more doable for people with good time management abilities and an analytical attitude. The ability to properly assign time, identify priorities, and build a methodical strategy helps to organize the whole project.
- Material Selection. Managing current goods and analyzing customer demands are critical elements in material selection. Identifying acceptable materials for the memory foam lumbar roll becomes simpler when consumer preferences and market trends are considered.
- Estimation Calculation. Calculating the project estimate entails using precise calculations to determine the materials necessary. Following established formulae simplifies computation and provides accurate estimates.
Difficult Parts
The memory foam roller design process incorporates several learning processes, which may cause difficulties throughout development. The following are the problematic components of the memory foam roller design and the actions taken to overcome them.
- Zipper connection. One difficult part is locating and sewing the zip without disturbing the back. This necessitates careful thought on zipper placement to maintain user comfort and avoid any pain or strain on the back.
- Application of cooling gel. Choosing the best way to apply the cooling gel layer might be difficult. When deciding between stitching and gluing methods, consider durability, user comfort, and sustainability.
- Layout and accuracy in drawing. Difficulties emerge from inadequate drawing picture arrangement, inappropriate dimension and scale application, line type abuse, and noncompliance with projection connections. These difficulties can lead to mistakes in appropriately depicting the product’s structural parts.
- Multiple versions of drawing. Creating many drawings enables improved visualization and mistake detection.
Reflection
While creating the memory foam lumbar roll, I applied information from many departments: product design, digital drawing, and entrepreneurship. This vast spectrum of information has been essential in the project’s progress. I obtained insights into market dynamics and developed efficient marketing strategies using strategic analytical approaches and tools.
By researching current marketing tactics and their subtleties, I created a complete plan suited exclusively for the lumbar roller, taking into account its unique characteristics and target market. Furthermore, researching competitors has provided useful insights into their strengths and flaws, allowing me to make educated judgments. My mastery of the principles of product analysis has been useful in building a competitive strategy that aligns with market needs.
Finally, expertise gained from many courses, including product design, digital drawing, entrepreneurship, design and creative theory, visual design, and communication, was critical in creating the memory foam lumbar roll. This comprehensive awareness of the market, customer preferences, and efficient marketing methods has enabled me to develop a product that not only meets but surpasses the target audience’s demands.
References
Aydogdu, E. S., Ersin, A., Kelecek, S., Melek, M., & Pekyavas, N. O. (2023). Effects of multi-gravitational suspension-based therapy on posture, physical fitness, quality of life, depression, and sleep quality in women without regular exercise habits. Somatosensory & Motor Research, 12(8), 765-773. Web.
Fazli, F., Farahmand, B., Azadinia, F., & Amiri, A. (2019). The effect of ergonomic latex pillow on head and neck posture and muscle endurance in patients with cervical spondylosis: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 18(3), 155-162. Web.
He, W., He, D., Liao, T., Feng, J., Liu, M., & Zha, X. (2023). Treatment of vertebral compression fractures with preoperative lumbar support pad reduction: 19 cases and a literature review of physically assisted therapy. Research Square, 49(3), 1-10. Web.
Hong, T. T., Wang, Y., Wong, D. W., Zhang, G., Tan, Q., Chen, T. L., & Zhang, M. (2022). The influence of mattress stiffness on spinal curvature and intervertebral disc stress— An experimental and computational study. Biology, 11(7), 1030. Web.
Lei, J. X., Yang, P. F., Yang, A. I., Gong, Y. F., Shang, P., & Yuan, X. C. (2021). Ergonomic consideration in pillow height determinants and evaluation. Healthcare, 1(9), 1-25. Web.
Sui, H., Li, L., Chen, A., & Wu, S. (2020). Rehabilitation nursing for patients with lower lumbar diseases treated by microscopic transforaminal interbody fusion. Acta Microscopica, 29(4), 2096-2096. Web.
Wong, D. W., Wang, Y., Lin, J., Tan, Q., Tan, Q., Chen, T, L., & Zhang, M. (2019). Sleeping mattress determinants and evaluation: A biomechanical review and critique. PeerJ, 7(1), e6364. Web.
Zhang, Z., Jiang, Z., Wu, Y., Yan, Y., Chen, W., & Zeng, Y. (2021). Comparing the Interface pressure distribution of the full-body chest-lumbar cushion made of memory cotton with the traditional chest cushion. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 22(839), 39-42. Web.