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Source document position as it affects head position and neck muscle tension

¹University of Northern Iowa, Ceder Falls 50614-0241, USA.

|April 1, 1996

Summary

Placing documents flat on the table, especially during typing, increases neck muscle tension and head rotation. This ergonomic setup can lead to discomfort and potential strain for computer users.

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Area of Science:

Ergonomics
Occupational Health
Biomechanics

Background:

Poor document positioning can lead to awkward postures and muscle strain.
Understanding the impact of document placement on neck biomechanics is crucial for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of different document positions on head posture, neck muscle activity, and mechanical load.
To compare these effects between reading and typing tasks.

Main Methods:

20 subjects performed reading and typing tasks with documents in six different positions.
Measurements included head position, C7 mechanical load, and neck muscle EMG activity.

Main Results:

Documents placed flat on the table resulted in the greatest head rotation and neck extensor muscle tension.
The sternocleidomastoid muscles showed increased tension with documents flat on the table.
Typing tasks exhibited greater variability in measures across document positions compared to reading tasks.

Conclusions:

Document placement significantly influences neck biomechanics and muscle activity.
Ergonomic recommendations should consider document positioning to minimize neck strain, particularly during prolonged typing.

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