Upper quadrant postural changes of school children in response to interaction with different information technologies

The objective of this study was to quantitatively analyse the sitting posture of school children interacting with both old (book) and new (laptop and desktop computers) information technologies to test the hypothesis that posture is effected by the type of information technology (IT) used. A mixed model design was used to test the effect of IT type (within subjects) and age and gender (between subjects). The sitting posture of 32 children aged 4 – 17 years was measured whilst they read from a book, laptop, and desktop computer at a standard school chair and desk. Video images were captured and then digitized to calculate mean angles for head tilt, neck flexion, trunk flexion, and gaze angle. Posture was found to be influenced by IT type (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001) and gender (p = 0.024) and significantly correlated to the stature of the participants. Measurement of resting posture and the maximal range of motion of the upper and lower cervical spines in the sagittal plane was also undertaken. The biophysical impact and the suitability of the three different information technologies are discussed.

[1]  Leon Straker,et al.  The effect of shoulder posture on performance, discomfort and muscle fatigue whilst working on a visual display unit , 1997 .

[2]  Ronda M. Scantlin,et al.  Children and Interactive Media: A Compendium of Current Research and Directions for the Future , 2000 .

[3]  Sarah McCarthy,et al.  Physiotherapy for Respiratory and Cardiac Problems , 1999, Spinal Cord.

[4]  Toshisada Nishida,et al.  Natural history of a tool-using behavior by wild chimpanzees in feeding upon wood-boring ants , 1982 .

[5]  A. Grieco,et al.  Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders due to biomechanical overload. , 1998, Ergonomics.

[6]  Knut Inge Fostervold,et al.  VDU work with downward gaze : The emperor's new clothes or scientifically sound? , 2003 .

[7]  Ivar Lie,et al.  Oculomotor factors in the aetiology of occupational cervicobrachial diseases (OCD) , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[8]  Herbert Junghanns,et al.  Clinical Implications of Normal Biomechanical Stresses on Spinal Function , 1990 .

[9]  A. Aarås.  Relationship between trapezius load and the incidence of musculoskeletal illness in the neck and shoulder , 1994 .

[10]  Carolyn M. Sommerich,et al.  Factors to Consider in Selecting Appropriate Computer Monitor Placement , 2000 .

[11]  Dennis R. Ankrum,et al.  Head and Neck Posture at Computer Workstations - What's Neutral? , 2000 .

[12]  Ruth Grant.  Physical therapy of the cervical and thoracic spine , 1994 .

[13]  L M Straker,et al.  Physical and psychosocial aspects of the learning environment in information technology rich classrooms , 2001, Ergonomics.

[14]  H Kylian,et al.  Preferred position of visual displays relative to the eyes: a field study of visual strain and individual differences. , 1998, Ergonomics.

[15]  Dennis R. Ankrum,et al.  Posture, Comfort, and Monitor Placement , 1995 .

[16]  M Naeije,et al.  The relationship between posture and curvature of the cervical spine. , 1998, Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics.

[17]  V. Janda,et al.  Chapter 10 – Muscles and Motor Control in Cervicogenic Disorders , 2002 .

[18]  P. Buckle,et al.  The State of Scientific Knowledge Regarding Work Related Neck and Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders , 2000 .

[19]  Frederic Martini,et al.  Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology , 1997 .

[20]  B. Cagnie,et al.  Individual and work related risk factors for neck pain among office workers: a cross sectional study , 2007, European Spine Journal.

[21]  B Jonsson,et al.  Measurement and evaluation of local muscular strain in the shoulder during constrained work. , 1982, Journal of human ergology.

[22]  B Nilsson,et al.  Musculoskeletal disorders among visual display terminal workers: individual, ergonomic, and work organizational factors. , 1995, Ergonomics.

[23]  Michael Weisberg.  Ergonomic Guidelines for Designing Effective and Healthy Learning Environments for Interactive Technologies. , 1993 .

[24]  R. Burgess-Limerick,et al.  The effect of imposed and self-selected computer monitor height on posture and gaze angle. , 1998, Clinical biomechanics.

[25]  M. P. J. M. Van Riel,et al.  The effect on sitting posture of a desk with a 10° inclination for reading and writing , 1991 .

[26]  M. P. J. M. Van Riel,et al.  Improving the sitting posture of CAD/CAM workers by increasing VDU monitor working height , 1992 .

[27]  Fine,et al.  Musculoskeletal Disorders: Work-related Risk Factors and Prevention. , 1996, International journal of occupational and environmental health.

[28]  Leon Straker,et al.  The effect of individually adjusted workstations on upper quadrant posture and muscle activity in school children. , 2002, Work.

[29]  A Aarås,et al.  Postural load during VDU work: a comparison between various work postures. , 1997, Ergonomics.

[30]  Alan Hedge,et al.  Healthy Keyboarding: Effects of Wrist Rests, Keyboard Trays, and a Preset Tiltdown System on Wrist Posture, Seated Posture, and Musculoskeletal Discomfort , 1995 .

[31]  C J Snijders,et al.  A biomechanical model for the analysis of the cervical spine in static postures. , 1991, Journal of biomechanics.

[32]  Carolyn M. Sommerich,et al.  Effects of VDT Viewing Angle on User Biomechanics, Comfort, and Preference , 1998 .

[33]  S. Raine,et al.  Head and shoulder posture variations in 160 asymptomatic women and men. , 1997, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[34]  Abdolazim Houshyar,et al.  Optimization Techniques in Occupational Biomechanics , 1989 .

[35]  S Saito,et al.  Ergonomic aspects of portable personal computers with flat panel displays (PC-FPDs): evaluation of posture, muscle activities, discomfort and performance. , 1998, Industrial health.

[36]  A Aarås,et al.  Further studies of postural load and musculo-skeletal injuries of workers at an electro-mechanical assembly plant. , 1987, Applied ergonomics.

[37]  C J Snijders,et al.  The effect on sitting posture of a desk with a ten-degree inclination using an adjustable chair and table. , 1991, Applied ergonomics.

[38]  Kathryn L. Smith,et al.  Cervicogenic Headache Part 1: An Anatomic and Clinical Overview , 1997 .

[39]  Alan Hedge,et al.  An anthropometric and postural risk assessment of children's school computer work environments , 1999 .

[40]  L Straker,et al.  A comparison of the postures assumed when using laptop computers and desktop computers. , 1997, Applied ergonomics.

[41]  L. Straker,et al.  A field comparison of neck and shoulder postures in symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers. , 2002, Applied ergonomics.

[42]  T. Armstrong,et al.  A conceptual model for work-related neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders. , 1993, Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health.

[43]  R. Westgaard,et al.  Postural angles as an indicator of postural load and muscular injury in occupational work situations. , 1988, Ergonomics.

[44]  Frank I. Katch,et al.  Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance , 2006 .

[45]  Jana M. Price,et al.  Laptop Configurations in Offices: Effects on Posture and Discomfort , 1998 .

[46]  F P Jones,et al.  Postural aspects of neck muscle tension. , 1966, Ergonomics.

[47]  B. Troussier,et al.  Comparative study of two different kinds of school furniture among children , 1999 .

[48]  K. Grimmer,et al.  Effects of backpacks on students: measurement of cervical and shoulder posture. , 2001, The Australian journal of physiotherapy.

[49]  M Miyao,et al.  Ergonomic evaluation of working posture of VDT operation using personal computer with flat panel display. , 1997, Industrial health.

[50]  Owen M. Evans,et al.  Predictors of neck and shoulder pain in non-secretarial computer users , 2000 .

[51]  L. Straker,et al.  An evaluation of visual display unit placement by electromyography, posture, discomfort and preference , 2000 .

[52]  A Hofman,et al.  Prevalence of Trunk Abnormalities in Eleven‐Year-Old Schoolchildren in Rotterdam, The Netherlands , 1992, Journal of pediatric orthopedics.

[53]  A Zecevic,et al.  An evaluation of the ergonomics of three computer keyboards , 2000, Ergonomics.

[54]  A. C. Mandal,et al.  Changing Standards for School Furniture , 1997 .

[55]  Leon Straker,et al.  Survey of physical ergonomics issues associated with school childrens’ use of laptop computers , 2000 .

[56]  Alan Hedge,et al.  The Effect of Computer Workstation Design on Student Posture , 1998 .

[57]  M. B. Villanueva,et al.  Adjustments of posture and viewing parameters of the eye to changes in the screen height of the visual display terminal. , 1996, Ergonomics.

[58]  G. Németh,et al.  Load moments and myoelectric activity when the cervical spine is held in full flexion and extension. , 1986, Ergonomics.

[59]  R. Burgess-Limerick,et al.  The prevalence of neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms in computer mouse users , 2000 .

[60]  Denise Meredyth,et al.  Real Time: Computers,Change and Schooling , 1999 .

[61]  Morten Wærsted,et al.  An experimental study of shoulder muscle activity and posture in a paper version versus a VDU version of a monotonous work task , 1997 .

[62]  S G Hill,et al.  Preferred Declination of the Line of Sight , 1986, Human factors.

[63]  Jennie P. Psihogios,et al.  The effects of video display terminal height on the operator: a comparison of the 15° and 40° recommendations , 1998 .

[64]  R. Jampel,et al.  The primary position of the eyes, the resetting saccade, and the transverse visual head plane. Head movements around the cervical joints. , 1992, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[65]  T Wittig,et al.  Influence of screen and copy holder positions on head posture, muscle activity and user judgement. , 1998, Applied ergonomics.

[66]  Shrawan Kumar.  A computer desk for bifocal lens wearers, with special emphasis on selected telecommunication tasks , 1994 .

[67]  W. Monroe Keyserling,et al.  Evaluating posture behavior during seated tasks , 1991 .

[68]  G. Johnson,et al.  The Correlation Between Surface Measurement of Head and Neck Posture and the Anatomic Position of the Upper Cervical Vertebrae , 1998, Spine.