The relationship between sitting posture and seated-related upper quadrant XXXX in computing South African adolescents: A prospective study.

@entity4512 @entity135 @entity1 @entity158
BACKGROUND: There is evidence that consistent sitting for prolonged periods is associated with upper quadrant @entity4512 (UQMP). It is unclear whether postural alignment is a significant risk factor. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The aim of the prospective study (2010-2011) was to ascertain if three-dimensional sitting postural angles, measured in a real-life school computer classroom setting, predict seated-related UQMP. METHOD: Asymptomatic Grade 10 high-school students, aged 15-17 years, undertaking Computer Application Technology, were eligible to participate. Using the 3D Posture Analysis Tool, sitting posture was measured while students used desk-top computers. Posture was reported as five upper quadrant angles ( @entity135 , Neck flexion; Craniocervical angle, Trunk flexion and Head lateral bending). The Computer Usage Questionnaire measured seated-related UQMP and hours of computer use. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for @entity1 assessed psychosocial factors. Sitting posture, computer use and psychosocial factors were measured at baseline. UQMP was measured at six months and one-year follow-up. RESULTS: 211, 190 and 153 students participated at baseline, six months and one-year follow-up respectively. 34.2% students complained of seated-related UQMP during the follow-up period. Increased head flexion (HF) predicted seated-related UQMP developing over time for a small group of students with @entity158 scores greater than the 90th @entity158 percentile, adjusted for age, gender, BMI, computer use and psychosocial factors (p  =  0.003). The @entity158 score increased 0.22 points per 1   increase in HF. CONCLUSIONS: Classroom ergonomics and postural hygiene should therefore focus on reducing large HF angles among computing adolescents.
