Neck Biomechanics and Multiple Wide Computer Displays

Abstract

Computer workstations are increasingly being fitted with multiple large displays. Display placement influences head posture and neck symptoms but the effects of multiple displays are not well known. This study evaluated the placement of two wide displays over a large range of heights and distances. Twenty participants performed internet search tasks with the search window at thirty-six positions, defined by three distances from the eyes (50 to 86 cm), three gaze angles (0 to 28° below the eye horizon), and four lateral distances from the mid-sagittal plane (13 and 32 cm to the left and to the right). Motion capture equipment tracked head and neck postures and simulation software calculated muscular capacities. Regression analyses demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) effects of gaze angle on neck flexion, lateral angle on neck rotation, and the interaction of gaze angle and lateral angle on neck lateral flexion. The moment generating capacities of the trapezius and splenius muscles, and the self-selected display positions, suggest that increases in wide display's field-of-view should be biased vertically (upward).