A field study on spinal postures and postural variations during smartphone use among university students. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Szeto, Grace P.Y.; Tsang, Sharon M.H.; Dai, Jie; Madeleine, Pascal
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 88(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Kinematics -- Neck pain -- Spine -- Smartphone; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103183
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: This field study compared the real-time spinal movements and postural variations during smartphone-use versus non-use in university students. Ten males and eight females (mean age of 21.5 ± 2.6 years) participated, with similar daily phone use time between the two sexes. Five inertial motion sensors were attached to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal regions, and kinematics was recorded for 3 h while participants went about their usual academic activities within the university campus. Significantly greater degrees of cervical and upper thoracic flexion were adopted during phone use versus non-use time (p < 0.01). There were also significantly greater frequency of postural variations (zero crossing per min) in all spinal regions in the sagittal plane (all p < 0.05), and in some of the movements in transverse and frontal planes comparing phone use vs non-use. The postural variables also showed some significant correlations with self-reported pre-existing neck and upper back pain scores. Highlights: Spinal kinematics were measured for 3 h in university students. Increased cervical flexion postures were found during phone use versus non-use. Significantly increased frequency of postural variation also found during phone use. Some association of increased flexion and postural variation with neck and upper back pain.