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 Experiment Videos

Postural load during VDU work: a comparison between various work postures

A Aarås1, K I Fostervold, O Ro

  • 1Alcatel STK A/S, Oslo, Norway.

Ergonomics
|January 10, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Supporting forearms during visual display unit (VDU) work significantly reduces muscle load, particularly in the trapezius and erector spinae muscles. This ergonomic adjustment is crucial for preventing discomfort and potential injury in seated and standing postures.

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

Longitudinal associations between self-regulation and physical activity behavior following metabolic bariatric surgery; an exploratory study.

The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity·2025
Same author

Associations of changes in physical activity and sedentary time with weight recurrence after bariatric surgery: a 5-year prospective study.

International journal of obesity (2005)·2023
Same author

Protein Intake and the Risk of Pre-Frailty and Frailty in Norwegian Older Adults. The Tromsø Study 1994-2016.

The Journal of frailty & aging·2022
Same author

Motor performance and cognitive correlates in children cooled for neonatal encephalopathy without cerebral palsy at school age.

Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)·2019
Same author

Self-Reported Eating Disorder Symptoms Before and After Gastric Bypass and Duodenal Switch for Super Obesity--a 5-Year Follow-Up Study.

Obesity surgery·2015
Same author

Hypothermia makes cerebral resistance index a poor prognostic tool in encephalopathic newborns.

Neonatology·2014

Area of Science:

  • Ergonomics
  • Occupational Health
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Visual Display Unit (VDU) work is prevalent, often leading to musculoskeletal discomfort.
  • Understanding postural load is key to preventing work-related injuries.
  • Previous research has not fully elucidated the benefits of forearm support across various VDU tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare postural muscle load during VDU work under different conditions.
  • To evaluate the impact of forearm support on muscle activity.
  • To assess the influence of sitting versus standing positions and head posture on muscle load.

Main Methods:

  • Electromyography (EMG) measured muscle load in the upper trapezius and lumbar erector spinae.
  • Inclinometers recorded postural angles of the head, upper arm, and back.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Participants performed VDU tasks with and without forearm support, in sitting and standing positions, with varying screen sightlines.

    • Main Results:

    • Forearm support significantly reduced trapezius muscle load during keyboard use in sitting positions.
    • Standing without forearm support increased erector spinae load compared to sitting with support.
    • Forearm support also reduced static trapezius load when using a mouse in a sitting posture.

    Conclusions:

    • Supporting forearms during VDU work is critical for reducing postural muscle load.
    • Ergonomic interventions should prioritize forearm support to mitigate risks associated with prolonged VDU use.
    • Implementing forearm support can lead to significant reductions in muscle strain for VDU operators.