Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Ciccarelli, Marina | Portsmouth, Linda | Harris, Courtenay | Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Introduction of notebook computers in many schools has become integral to learning. This has increased students’ screen-based exposure and the potential risks to physical and visual health. Unhealthy computing behaviours include frequent and long durations of exposure; awkward postures due to inappropriate furniture and workstation layout, and ignoring computer-related discomfort. Objective: Describe the framework for a planned school-based health promotion program to encourage healthy computing behaviours among middle school students. Methods: This planned program uses a community- based participatory research approach. Students in Year 7 in 2011 at a co-educational middle school, their parents, and teachers have been recruited. …Baseline data was collected on students’ knowledge of computer ergonomics, current notebook exposure, and attitudes towards healthy computing behaviours; and teachers’ and self-perceived competence to promote healthy notebook use among students, and what education they wanted. The health promotion program is being developed by an inter-professional team in collaboration with students, teachers and parents to embed concepts of ergonomics education in relevant school activities and school culture. End of year changes in reported and observed student computing behaviours will be used to determine the effectiveness of the program. Significance: Building a body of evidence regarding physical health benefits to students from this school-based ergonomics program can guide policy development on the healthy use of computers within children’s educational environments. Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, schools, notebooks, community-based research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0253-851

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 851-856, 2012

Authors: Paraizo, Claudia | de Moraes, Anamaria

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Abstract This research deals with the influence of the computer use in schools related to the children posture, in an ergonomic point of view. The research tries to identify probable causes for the children early postural constraints, relating it to the sedentary behavior and the lack of an ergonomic project in schools. The survey involved 186 children, between 8 and 12 years old, students of a private school in Rio de Janeiro – Brasil. An historical and theoretical school furniture research was conducted as well as a survey with the students and teachers, computer postural evaluation, ergonomic evaluation (RULA …method), and observations in the computer classroom. The research dealt with the student´s perception with respect to the furniture utilized by him in the classroom during the use of the computer, his body complaint, the time he spent working on the school computer and the possibility of the existence of sedentariness. Also deals with the teachers´ perception and knowledge regarding ergonomics with reference to schoolroom furniture and its Regulatory Norms (RN). The purpose of the research work is to highlight the importance of this knowledge, having in view the possibility of the teachers´ collaboration in the ergonomic adaptation of the classroom environment and in their conscientious opinion during the purchasing of this furniture. A questionnaire was utilized and its results showed some discontent on the part of the teachers with relation to the schoolroom furniture as well as the teachers´ scant knowledge of Ergonomics. We conclude with a survey that despite the children had constraints in postural assessments and school furniture needs a major ergonomic action, the time that children use the computer at school is small compared with the time of use at home and therefore insufficient to be the main cause of quantified commitments, thus the study of computer use at home as a development and continuity of this research. Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, computer, child, school furniture, postural constraints

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0254-857

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 857-862, 2012

Authors: Tran, T. | Ciccarelli, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Australian children as young as five years are using computers in the home and school environments with increased frequency and longer duration as they age. Consequently, they may be exposed to risk factors for the development of physical health problems described in studies of adult computer users. To date schools have focused on providing children with the latest computer technologies; with far less attention given to appropriate workstations, ergonomics education and incorporating safe computing practices. By better understanding children’s attitudes and knowledge, a directional approach to the development of an ergonomics education program may be established using a health …promotion framework to encourage healthy computing behaviors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify children’s knowledge of, and attitudes towards healthy computing. Method: A cross-sectional inferential study of 537 Australian school children (aged 9 to 11 years) from Catholic Education Schools across Western Australia was conducted. Multiple logistic regression analyses identified that children’s beliefs and attitudes about the negative health effects of computers were found to be most associated with unhealthy computing behaviors. Results: Children lacked sufficient knowledge about the importance of postural and task variation, but had sufficient knowledge about adjusting workstation furniture specific to healthy computer use. Show more

Keywords: children, computer ergonomics, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0255-863

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 863-868, 2012

Authors: Zlamanski, R. | Ciccarelli, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Information and communication technologies (ICT), including computers, are becoming commonplace tools for learning by school children in Australia and around the world. Teachers are responsible for integrating ICT into the school learning environment; however, they may not recognize how and when ICT use may compromise their students’ physical health. Children’s exposure to physical harm through the unhealthy use of ICT may have liability implications for the education sector. Objectives: To determine (i) whether teachers consider it their responsibility to promote healthy ICT use among their students; (ii) teachers’ self-perceived competence to do so; and (iii) what teachers perceive are …the barriers and enablers to promoting healthy ICT use among their students. Method: An online survey was developed for the study. All Catholic Education school principals in Western Australia (n=157) were sent an email link to the survey for distribution to teachers at their respective schools. Over the three week survey period, 95 teachers completed the survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data and summarize participants’ responses. Results: Fifty-five percent of teachers agreed they were concerned about their students’ physical health when using ICT. Only 19% of teachers reported they frequently or always provided their students with information on how to use computers in their class in a way, so as to promote physical health. Teachers identified barriers to promoting healthy computing use among students including; insufficient time (47%), non-adjustable furniture (46%), and insufficient knowledge (41%). Male teachers reported more confidence in their ability to promote healthy ICT use among students than female teachers. Conclusion: Just over half of the teachers in this study were concerned for the physical health of their students when using ICT in the classroom. Respondents identified barriers that limit their ability to promote healthy practices to their students. Designing and implementing school-based computer ergonomics education programmes may assist teachers fulfil their duty of care in regard to the physical health and well-being of their students. Show more

Keywords: ICT, ergonomics, school children, teacher education

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0256-869

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 869-875, 2012

Authors: Gonçalves, Maria Antónia | Arezes, Pedro M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: During the last decades of the previous century, school desks with a tilt top have disappeared. The chairs have been designed for sitting upright, with the hip, knees and ankles all at right angles. However, the erect posture cannot be maintained for more than one or two minutes, after which it will result in fatigue, discomfort or poor posture. The main aim of project is to identify the type of furniture that most effectively contribute to adequate neck and back postures of the school children, by carrying out a postural analysis of a sample of school pupils when using three …different types of furniture. The postures adopted by school pupils were monitored by video during several activities, such as reading, writing and painting tasks, copying from a blackboard and listening the teacher. Additionally, the characteristics of the adopted postures were assessed by registering the head tilt, flexion of the neck, trunk and hips position. All these aspects were classified and the results were recorded for future analysis. The obtained results seem to point out that the use of a school desk with a tilted table surface resulted in a reduction in trunk and neck flexion, preserving the natural lordosis in the lumbar and cervical regions. Accordingly, it can be concluded that there are alternatives to consider in the furniture design in order to eliminate tensions and, consequently, to improve children’s wellbeing. Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, schoolchildren, furniture, design, posture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0257-876

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 876-880, 2012

Authors: Omari, Sana | Woodcock, Andree

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The physical school environment has been shown to be important in helping children fulfill their academic potential and in providing appropriate working conditions for staff. However, few tools have been developed that enable multi stakeholder consultation which takes into account the opinions of young students. In Saudi Arabia there has been widespread investment in schools, but few guidelines have been provided to assist design or continuous evaluation. A Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) method was developed and used to evaluate three international primary schools in Saudi Arabia. The methods identified weaknesses in the three schools and differences in responses from the …three groups consulted (children, teachers and parents). Conclusions drawn from the study are that greater efforts need to be made to draw together research about how school facilities can support teaching and learning, increase effectiveness and levels of satisfaction. POE, when used in conjunction with checklists could be used as a means of driving up standards of educational facilities Show more

Keywords: Educational ergonomics, schools

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0258-881

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 881-887, 2012

Authors: Ely, Vera Helenamoro Bins | Dorneles, Vanessa | Ramos, Flávia Martini | Luiz, Mariana Morais

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper presents one Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) done in a child care institution in the city of Florianópolis, in south of Brazil. The objective of this work is to analyze the environment’s performance of the child care center considering the well-being of all of its users, with the mainly focus in the teacher’s work. For this analyze, was used a multi methods approach, using consecrated evaluations in the area of environmental psychology and ergonomic. The methods used were: Exploratory Visit, Walkthrough, Questionnaires, Observations, Ergonomic Analyze and Poem of Wishes. The methodological procedures used enabled the identification of the main problems …that committed the interaction between environment, user and task, which in addition to serve as an argument to the recommendations done to the analyzed Institution, form a repertory that can serve as a base to future projects in institutions with the same character. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomic, Children’s Environment, Post-Occupancy Evaluation, Environmental Psychology

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0259-888

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 888-895, 2012

Authors: Burov, Oleksandr | Tsarik, Oleksandra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: It is described the method to study students’ stability to perform learning tasks under impact of internal and external factors that includes special tests of performance (cognitive, perceptual, strength and mobility of neural processes, selfassessment, questionnaires) and measurement of physiological parameters in parallel (EEG and/or REG, heart rate, blood pressure). It was confirmed high self-descriptiveness of fluctuation structure of test tasks performance in relation to the physiological “cost” of performance and subjective assessment of mood and capacity. It was revealed a high relationship both rate and accuracy indices of test performance with parameters of speed and density of solar wind …that has individual dependence on lag between those parameters with time and had more significant meaning comparing to over-week education workload. Show more

Keywords: psychophysiology, external factors, measurement, learning, performance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0260-896

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 896-899, 2012

Authors: De Paula, A.J.F. | Silva, J.C.P. | Paschoarelli, L.C. | Fujii, J.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This descriptive study of cross sectional has focused on analyzing the school material weight transported by students associated with children and adolescents overweight in primary and secondary schools. Participants 339 students of both genders, aged 10-19 years. 243 students carrying and average load of 12.65% of his body weight. 53 students were overweight with a BMI of 20,00 to 35,6. 20 overweight students carrying backpacks more than 10% of his body weight. 21% of the students rated complained of back and shoulder pain. This data is very important in the preventive aspects for the individuals studied, as well as others …with the same anthropometric characteristics and the same demand. Show more

Keywords: school backpack, ergonomics, BMI, back pain, posture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0261-900

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 900-906, 2012

Authors: Reis, P. | Moro, A.R. | Da Silva, J. | Paschoarelli, L. | Nunes Sobrinho, F. | Peres, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the student-furniture interface from anthropometric parameters of the sitting posture. The sample was composed of 887 students from two public schools in the State of Parana - Brazil, which attended children from 7 to 17 years of age. The data collection used anthropometric measures of the sitting position, a questionnaire containing a human body diagram for indication of discomfort areas and photographic records to verify postural and ergonomic inadequacies in classroom. The following anthropometric variables were measured: popliteal height, sacro-popliteal length, hip width, lumbar support height, and elbow and thigh height. Percentiles 5 and 95 …of anthropometric variables showed differences statistically significant, with variation coefficient greater than 30%. In relation to body discomfort, the highest occurrences were recorded for ankle, knees and shoulder joints as well as for spine and buttocks. It was concluded that children use school furniture that does not meet their anthropometric standards, which favored the adoption of incorrect postures and contributed to the emergence of musculoskeletal problems that can interfere with their educational process. Show more

Keywords: Seating posture, Discomfort, School furniture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0262-907

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 907-914, 2012