Affiliations: School of Occupational Therapy & Social Work,
Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia | School of Physiotherapy, Curtin Health Innovation
Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia | Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of
Occupational and Public Health Sciences, University of Gävle, SE-801 76
Gävle, Sweden | School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin
Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Marina Ciccarelli, School of
Occupational Therapy & Social Work, Curtin Health Innovation Research
Institute, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Tel.:
+61 8 9266 3692; Fax: +61 8 9266 3636; E-mail: m.ciccarelli@curtin.edu.au
Abstract: Objective: There are concerns that insufficient variation in
postural and muscle activity associated with use of modern information and
communication technology (ICT) presents a risk for musculoskeletal ill-health
among school children. However, scientific knowledge on physical exposure
variation in this group is limited. The purpose of this study was to quantify
postures and muscle activity of school children using different types of ICT. Method: Postures of the head, upper back and upper arm, and muscle
activity of the right and left upper trapezius and right forearm extensors were
measured over 10–12 hours in nine school children using different types of ICT
at school and away-from-school. Variation in postures and muscle activity was
quantified using two indices, EVA_{sd} and APDF_{(90-10)}. Results: Paper-based (Old) ICT tasks produced postures that were less neutral but
more variable than electronics-based (New ICT) and Non-ICT tasks.
Non-ICT tasks involved mean postures similar to New ICT tasks, but
with greater variation. Variation of muscle activity was similar between ICT
types in the right and left upper trapezius muscles. Non-ICT tasks
produced more muscle activity variation in the right forearm extensor group
compared to New and Old ICT tasks. Conclusion: Different ICT tasks produce different degrees of variation in posture and muscle activity.
Combining tasks that use different ICT may increase overall exposure variation.
More research is needed to determine what degree of postural and muscle
activity variation is associated with reduced risk of musculoskeletal ill-health.
