Notebook Computer Use on a Desk, Lap and Lap Support: Effects on Posture, Performance and Comfort

Details

• Personal Author:
  Asundi K ; Dennerlein, Jack T. ; Luce A ; Odell D
• Description:
  This study quantified postures of users working on a notebook computer situated in their lap and tested the effect of using a device designed to increase the height of the notebook when placed on the lap. A motion analysis system measured head, neck and upper extremity postures of 15 adults as they worked on a notebook computer placed on a desk (DESK), the lap (LAP) and a commercially available lapdesk (LAPDESK). Compared with the DESK, the LAP increased downwards head tilt 6 degrees and wrist extension 8 degrees . Shoulder flexion and ulnar deviation decreased 13 degrees and 9 degrees, respectively. Compared with the LAP, the LAPDESK decreased downwards head tilt 4 degrees, neck flexion 2 degrees, and wrist extension 9 degrees. Users reported less discomfort and difficulty in the DESK configuration. Use of the lapdesk improved postures compared with the lap; however, all configurations resulted in high values of wrist extension, wrist deviation and downwards head tilt. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: This study quantifies postures of users working with a notebook computer in typical portable configurations. A better understanding of the postures assumed during notebook computer use can improve usage guidelines to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Computers Ergonomics Laboratories Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Lapdesk Biomechanics Computer-equipment Injury-prevention Laboratory-testing Laptop Motion-studies Muscles Musculoskeletal-system Musculoskeletal-system-disorders Musculoskeletal Disorder Posture Risk-analysis Risk-factors Upper Extremity

  More +
• ISSN:
  0014-0139
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  74-82
• Volume:
  53
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20036336
• Citation:
  Ergonomics 2010 Jan; 53(1):74-82
• Contact Point Address:
  Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2010
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services ; Wholesale and Retail Trade
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19990930
• Source Full Name:
  Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20090831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:656788e5f2efa67d8f5fdb3a8212e378de3adff66eb0d8855579afd49bdb8afd677b98003c65c95be1d92b7a211adb0765d94879dfe7dae4a847e51eaef5dddc
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/187805/cdc_187805_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 197.85 KB ]