A prospective study of computer users: II. Postural risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders

Marcus, Michele; Gerr, Fredric; Monteilh, Carolyn; Ortiz, Daniel J.; Gentry, Eileen M.; Cohen, Susan; Edwards, Alicia; Ensor, Cindy; Kleinbaum, David G.

doi:10.1002/ajim.10067

Cited by 314 publications

(283 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Pain and musculoskeletal discomfort have been associated with computer use by adult populations (Bergqvist et al 1995, Marcus et al 2002 and there are indications that this may also be an issue for college students (Katz et al 2000, Mene´ndez et al 2007) and younger children (Harris and Straker 2000, Jacobs and Baker 2002, Williams 2002, Szeto 2003, Straker et al 2006a. Hakala et al (2006) conducted a survey study of 6003 Finnish children aged 14, 16 and 18 years.…”

Section: Musculoskeletal Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Principles for the wise use of computers by children

2009

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Computer use by children at home and school is now common in many countries. Child computer exposure varies with the type of computer technology available and the child's age, gender and social group. This paper reviews the current exposure data and the evidence for positive and negative effects of computer use by children. Potential positive effects of computer use by children include enhanced cognitive development and school achievement, reduced barriers to social interaction, enhanced fine motor skills and visual processing and effective rehabilitation. Potential negative effects include threats to child safety, inappropriate content, exposure to violence, bullying, Internet 'addiction', displacement of moderate/vigorous physical activity, exposure to junk food advertising, sleep displacement, vision problems and musculoskeletal problems. The case for child specific evidence-based guidelines for wise use of computers is presented based on children using computers differently to adults, being physically, cognitively and socially different to adults, being in a state of change and development and the potential to impact on later adult risk. Progress towards child-specific guidelines is reported. Finally, a set of guideline principles is presented as the basis for more detailed guidelines on the physical, cognitive and social impact of computer use by children. The principles cover computer literacy, technology safety, child safety and privacy and appropriate social, cognitive and physical development. The majority of children in affluent communities now have substantial exposure to computers. This is likely to have significant effects on child physical, cognitive and social development. Ergonomics can provide and promote guidelines for wise use of computers by children and by doing so promote the positive effects and reduce the negative effects of computer-child, and subsequent computer-adult, interaction.

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Section: Musculoskeletal Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Principles for the wise use of computers by children

2009

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“…Electrogoniometry also provides the opportunity to collect data on the length of time that the wrist is placed at cer angles. This is valuable information since one of the potential risk factors for developing symptoms of the forearm and/or wrist is working in constrained an extreme postures for long periods of time (Bernard, 1997;Marcus et al, 2002;Sluiter et al, 2001;Viikari-Juntura and Silverstein, 1999).. R wrist and forearm symptoms (Malchaire et al, 2001). It has been sugges risk increases with exposure to both extreme postures and repetitive movements (Bernard, 1997).…”

Section: Muscle Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Concordance between VDU-users’ ratings of comfort and perceived exertion with experts’ observations of workplace layout and working postures

Lindegård

Karlberg

Tornqvist³

et al. 2005

Applied Ergonomics

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All previously published papers have been reproduced with permission from the publisher.Published and printed by Intellecta DocuSys AB, Göteborg, Sweden, 2007 © Agneta Lindegård Andersson, 2007 ISBN 978-91-628-7098-0 Working technique during computer work Associations with biomechanical and psychological strain, neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms Agneta Lindegård AnderssonThe Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Institute of Medicine Department of Public Health and Community Medicine Occupational and Environmental Medicine AbstractAbout 35 % of the working population in Sweden report that computer use accounts for 50% or more of their total working hours. Among this population approximately 40% of the women and 25% of the men experienced symptoms in the neck and/or upper extremities at least once a week during the preceding 3 month. The overall aim of the studies underlying this thesis was to explore possible associations between working technique and perceived exertion, comfort, biomechanical and psychosocial strain as well as neck and upper extremity symptoms among computer users. Specific research questions addressed were a) Whether working technique was associated with muscle activity, wrist positions and forces applied to the computer mouse, respectively? b) Whether working technique was associated with psychological demands, emotional stress and perceived muscle tension, respectively? c) Whether there were associations between self-rated perceived comfort and observations of workplace layout and between self-rated perceived exertion and working postures. d) Whether working technique perceived exertion and comfort was associated with neck and upper extremity symptoms.The results showed that subjects classified as having a good working technique worked with less muscular load in the forearm (p=0.03) and in the trapezius muscle on the mouse operating side (p=0.02) compared to subjects classified as having a poor working technique. Subjects who reported high psychological demands and perceived muscular tension, respectively, used poorer working technique than subjects who did not perceive this conditions (demands, p=0.03, muscular tension, p=0.02). Moreover, the concordance between ratings of comfort and observations of workplace layout was reasonably good concerning the working chair and the keyboard and good regarding the computer screen and the input device. The concordance between ratings of perceived exertion and observations of working postures indicated good agreement for all measured body locations. This applies to the group that rated poor comfort and high exertion. Regarding the group that rated good comfort and low exertion ratings must be supplemented with observations. Furthermore, the results revealed that high perceived exertion and low comfort were related to an increased incidence of neck, and upper extremity symptoms, while poor working technique was not associated with such a risk. It is concluded that working technique is associated with both biomechanical and p...

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“…Recent studies suggest that maintaining good alignment of the body in the sitting position can prevent or reduce posture-related pain 1,2) . Prolonged sitting postures, in combination with poor workstation ergonomics, have been significantly implicated in the development of musculoskeletal problems during computer work 3,4) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of an Unstable Dual Foot Support on the Trunk Flexion Angle and RF, L4-ES, EO Muscle Activities during Computer Work

Yoo

2013

J Phys Ther Sci

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Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to show the effects of an unstable dual foot support on the trunk flexion angle and rectus femoris (RF), L4 erector spinae (L4-ES), and external oblique (EO) muscles activities during computer work.[Subjects] Fourteen computer workers were recruited.[Methods] The subjects performed computer work with and without an unstable dual foot support, and the muscle activities of the RF, L4-ES, EO were measured.[Results] The trunk flexion angle significantly decreased during working with the unstable dual foot support compared to without. The normalized EMG data of the RF, L4-ES and EO muscles significantly increased during working with the unstable dual foot support compared to without. [Conclusion] We suggest that the unstable dual foot support would be a portable and cost effective assistive tool for encourage an optimal sitting posture in computer workers.

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A prospective study of computer users: II. Postural risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders

Abstract: The results suggest that the risk of musculoskeletal symptoms and musculoskeletal disorders may be reduced by encouraging specific seated postures.

Cited by 314 publications

References 19 publications

Principles for the wise use of computers by children

Principles for the wise use of computers by children

Concordance between VDU-users’ ratings of comfort and perceived exertion with experts’ observations of workplace layout and working postures

Effects of an Unstable Dual Foot Support on the Trunk Flexion Angle and RF, L4-ES, EO Muscle Activities during Computer Work

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