Effects of standing on typing task performance and upper limb discomfort, vascular and muscular indicators.
Standing is a popular alternative to traditionally seated computer work. However, no studies have described how standing impacts both upper body muscular and vascular outcomes during a computer typing task. Twenty healthy adults completed two 90-min simulated work sessions, seated or standing. Upper limb discomfort, electromyography (EMG) from eight upper body muscles, typing performance and neck/shoulder and forearm blood flow were collected. Results showed significantly less upper body discomfort and higher typing speed during standing. Lower Trapezius EMG amplitude was higher during standing, but this postural difference decreased with time (interaction effect), and its variability was 68% higher during standing compared to sitting. There were no effects on blood flow. Results suggest that standing computer work may engage shoulder girdle stabilizers while reducing discomfort and improving performance. Studies are needed to identify how standing affects more complex computer tasks over longer work bouts in symptomatic workers.
['Fedorowich|Larissa M|LM|', 'Côté|Julie N|JN|']
D000071596:Abdominal Oblique Muscles D000328:Adult D003201:Computers D057645:Deltoid Muscle D004576:Electromyography D005260:Female D005542:Forearm D006801:Humans D008297:Male D018482:Muscle, Skeletal D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain D009333:Neck D064170:Paraspinal Muscles D011187:Posture D012039:Regional Blood Flow D012782:Shoulder D064171:Superficial Back Muscles D013647:Task Performance and Analysis D055815:Young Adult
Standing Computer work Neck/shoulder