Effect of Distance Between Trunk and Desk on Forward Head Posture and Muscle Activity of Neck and Shoulder Muscles During Computer Work

Lee Won hwee

Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine

Abbr : J Korean Soc Phys Med
2013, 8(4), pp.601-608
Publisher : The Korean Society of Physical Medicine
Research Area : Other physical therapy

Lee Won hwee ¹

¹전주비전대학교

ABSTRACT

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of distance between trunk and desk on forward head posture and muscle activity of neck and shoulder muscles during computer work. Methods : Twenty subjects who have healthy conditions were asked to perform computer work in two conditions (distance between trunk and desk was 0 and 15 cm). Forward head angle was analyzed with a SIMI motion analysis system. Surface electromyography recorded the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles. The significance of differences in distance between trunk and desk (0cm and 15cm) was tested by paired t-test. The alpha level was set at .05. Results : The results showed that the change of forward head angle was significantly higher during the computer work when the distance between trunk and desk was 15cm than 0cm. The muscle activity of upper trapezius and splenius capitis was also significantly higher during the computer work when the distance between trunk and desk was 15cm than 0cm. Conclusion : Our study suggest that the distance between trunk and desk was should minimized for prevention of forward head posture during computer work.
KEYWORDS

Computer work, Electromyography, Forward head posture, Motion analysis
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