Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) and musculoskeletal disorders in the United States and worldwide are increasing at an alarming rate due to the advent of ubiquitous computer usage. Factors that lead to computer-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) include inadequately designed workstations, poor posture, and lack of knowledge about proper ergonomics and use habits. Studies have documented the negative impact of improper posture and the MSD seen in students and office workers due to frequent computer usage. Objective: Determine if the frequency (single vs. continuous reminder) and/or use of feedback affects posture at a computer workstation. Participants: Observations of posture habits were made in three local schools and one local company. Feedback effects were tested on the students (ages 10-15). Methods: Real time feedback was given in two studies. In one study, instructions and a verbal reminder were given to students and in a second study, a prototype 'Posture Pad' was developed to provide continuous feedback to the user. Results: Verbal reminders to sit correctly led to transient improvement of posture. Use of the 'Posture Pad' resulted in significant improvement in posture with subjects exhibiting correct posture 98 ± 5% of the time. Conclusions: Real time feedback about how one is sitting is an effective mechanism for non-transient improvement of posture at computer workstations.
Discrete vortex methods are used to capture the essential nonlinearities of vortex roll-up , vortex pairing, and interaction with adjacent walls. The nonlinearity is measured in terms of the deviation from the exponential growth rates as given by linear theory. This analysis is done for several relative phase relationships and a best fit is chosen based on correlation coefftcients. New work on the receptivity of a 90 degree comer is also summarized. The approach to this analysis is consistent the previously developed Cavity Acoustics Modeling Software (CAMS) and will be used to refine the prediction of CAMS. Also summarized is the conversion of the Microsoft Visual Basic code to JAVA permitting portability between workstations and the personal computer.
The Christopher Columbus Awards Competition is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or “STEM” program, which challenges middle school students to identify and solve a community problem by the application of science and technology. Four California students (collectively known as the “Back Straight Boys”) worked as a team to address the issue of musculoskeletal problems associated with computer use. The prevalence of computer use both in schools and the work place continues to steadily increase. Globally, improper posture at computer workstations is a widespread problem. Studies have documented the negative impact of improper posture and the resultant musculoskeletal discomfort and pain experienced by students due to frequent computer usage. This project examined the posture habits of employees in an office environment and those of students in local elementary, middle, and high schools. The project also involved conducted trials while studying various types of feedback. This included the use of their prototype ergonomic device, the “Posture Pad”, developed to provide continuous posture feedback to the user. Participants using the “Posture Pad” displayed significantly better posture 95% of the time. Participants who received instructions and verbal reminders without the sensory feedback had dramatic improvements in posture. However, these improvements were transient. This project raised the public’s awareness to this growing problem and became a catalyst for the Back Straight Boys’ advocacy for and interest in ergonomics.
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