Touch-screen tablet user configurations and case-supported tilt affect head and neck flexion angles

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dennerlein, Jack T. ; Marinelli K ; Odell D ; Trudeau M ; Young JG
• Description:
  Objective: The aim of this study was to determine how head and neck postures vary when using two media tablet (slate) computers in four common user configurations. Methods: Fifteen experienced media tablet users completed a set of simulated tasks with two media tablets in four typical user configurations. The four configurations were: on the lap and held with the user's hands, on the lap and in a case, on a table and in a case, and on a table and in a case set at a high angle for watching movies. An infra-red LED marker based motion analysis system measured head/neck postures. Results: Head and neck flexion significantly varied across the four configurations and across the two tablets tested. Head and neck flexion angles during tablet use were greater, in general, than angles previously reported for desktop and notebook computing. Postural differences between tablets were driven by case designs, which provided significantly different tilt angles, while postural differences between configurations were driven by gaze and viewing angles. Conclusion: Head and neck posture during tablet computing can be improved by placing the tablet higher to avoid low gaze angles (i.e. on a table rather than on the lap) and through the use of a case that provides optimal viewing angles. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Communications Media Computers Eye Laboratories Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety Sense Organs
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Slate Computing Biomechanics Communication-systems Computer-equipment Equipment-design Humans Laboratory-testing Measurement-equipment Media Tablets Mobile Computing Motion-studies Musculoskeletal-system Physiological-measurements Physiological-testing Posture Simulation-methods Visual-fields Visual-motility

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• ISSN:
  1051-9815
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  81-91
• Volume:
  41
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20043041
• Citation:
  Work 2012 Jan; 41(1):81-91
• Contact Point Address:
  Jack T. Dennerlein, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
• Email:
  jax@hsph.harvard.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services ; Wholesale and Retail Trade
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20070301
• Source Full Name:
  Work
• End Date:
  20120228
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:21d9acb0e24ccad0780ba27d653b86e08483409cf9b62fb620417be497c972f0e7b554c31e02e42cdb52543d420fac938c26f28ec0b4447b2f813366b4f61138
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/195064/cdc_195064_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.10 MB ]