- Title
- Differences in posture kinematics between using a tablet, a laptop, and a desktop computer in sitting and in standing
- Creator
- Yu, Zhongming; James, Carole; Edwards, Suzi; Snodgrass, Suzanne J.
- Relation
- Work Vol. 61, Issue 2, p. 257-266
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/wor-182796
- Publisher
- IOS Press
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2018
- Description
- Background: Alternative methods of accessing the internet and performing computing-related work tasks are becoming common, e.g., using tablets or standing workstations. Few studies examine postural differences while using these alternative methods. Objective: To assess neck and upper limb kinematics while using a tablet, laptop and desktop computer (sitting and standing). Methods: Differences in neck flexion/extension, lateral flexion, rotation; elbow flexion/extension; wrist flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation; and shoulder elevation in 30 participants were assessed in four conditions, three in sitting (tablet, laptop and desktop computer) and one in standing (desktop computer). Three-dimensional motion capture recorded posture variables during an editing task. Differences between variables were determined using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Results: Compared to the desktop (sitting), tablet and laptop use resulted in increased neck flexion (mean difference tablet 16.92°, 95% CI 12.79-21.04; laptop 10.92, 7.86-13.97, P<0.001) and shoulder elevation (right; tablet 10.29, 5.27-15.11; laptop 7.36, 3.72-11.01, P<0.001). There were no meaningful posture differences between the sitting and standing desktop. Conclusions: These findings suggest that using a tablet or laptop may increase neck flexion, potentially increasing posture strain. Regular users of tablets/laptops should consider adjustments in their posture, however, further research is required to determine whether posture adjustments prevent or reduce musculoskeletal symptoms.
- Subject
- biomechanics; physical ergonomics; spine; shoulder; wrist
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1393456
- Identifier
- uon:33546
- Identifier
- ISSN:1051-9815
- Rights
- The final publication is available at IOS Press through http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/wor-182796.
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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