Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Design, fabrication, and testing of an ergonomic brace for virtual reality headset using 3D printing.

Ergonomics·2026
Same author

Droplet-based bioprinting.

Nature reviews. Methods primers·2026
Same author

Adaptation to a Whole-Body Powered Exoskeleton: Human-Exoskeleton Coordination During Load-Handling Tasks.

Annals of biomedical engineering·2026
Same author

Effects of a Semantically Irrelevant Virtual Reality Experience on Memory and Emotion After Watching a Traumatic Event: Randomized Controlled Experimental Study.

JMIR formative research·2026
Same author

Muscle synergy analysis of short-term adaptation to arm-support exoskeletons during pseudo-static and dynamic overhead tasks.

Journal of biomechanics·2025
Same author

Multimodal prediction of situation awareness during automated driving: a gaze and EEG-based approach.

Ergonomics·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
07:30

A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact

Published on: September 21, 2017

Biomechanical Effects of 3D-Printed and Spring-Based Virtual Reality Headset Support and Task Demands on the Neck.

Felipe Z Santos1, Changwon Son1, Hanjun Park1

  • 1Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.

IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors
|June 5, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Virtual reality (VR) office work impacts neck and upper body strain. Support devices can reduce muscle effort, but design is key to balancing load reduction with natural head movement for occupational safety.

Keywords:
3D printingVirtual reality headsetelectromyographykinematicsoffice tasks

More Related Videos

3D Printing Model of a Patient's Specific Lumbar Vertebra
07:30

3D Printing Model of a Patient's Specific Lumbar Vertebra

Published on: April 14, 2023

The Immersive Cleveland Clinic Virtual Reality Shopping Platform for the Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
08:36

The Immersive Cleveland Clinic Virtual Reality Shopping Platform for the Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Published on: July 28, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
07:30

A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact

Published on: September 21, 2017

3D Printing Model of a Patient's Specific Lumbar Vertebra
07:30

3D Printing Model of a Patient's Specific Lumbar Vertebra

Published on: April 14, 2023

The Immersive Cleveland Clinic Virtual Reality Shopping Platform for the Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
08:36

The Immersive Cleveland Clinic Virtual Reality Shopping Platform for the Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Published on: July 28, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Ergonomics
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used in occupational settings like offices.
  • Prolonged VR use can lead to neck and upper body musculoskeletal strain.
  • Existing VR headset designs may not adequately address ergonomic concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of office task demands on neck and upper body responses during VR use.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of two novel VR headset support prototypes in mitigating physical strain.
  • To provide ergonomic recommendations for VR headset design in occupational environments.

Main Methods:

  • Participants performed office tasks in a VR environment.
  • Electromyography (EMG) measured neck muscle activity.
  • Cervical range of motion (ROM) and posture were analyzed.
  • Two VR headset support prototypes (spring-based counterbalance, shoulder-mounted brace) were compared to a standard head strap.

Main Results:

  • Tasks requiring frequent head/eye movement increased neck muscle activity and cervical ROM.
  • Visually focused tasks resulted in more static postures.
  • Both prototypes reduced neck muscle effort compared to the standard strap.
  • The shoulder-mounted brace increased trunk motion and neck discomfort, despite reducing muscle effort.

Conclusions:

  • Office task demands significantly influence biomechanical responses during VR use.
  • VR headset support devices show potential for reducing musculoskeletal risk.
  • Ergonomic design must balance load reduction with the preservation of natural neck and trunk motion.
  • Optimized, lightweight, and adjustable support designs are crucial for safe and sustainable VR adoption in workplaces.