Field Study of Postural Characteristics of Standing and Seated Smartphone Use

Yi-Lang Chen, Kuan-Hsiang Chen, Yu-Cheng Cheng and Chien-Ching Chang
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Yi-Lang Chen: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan
Kuan-Hsiang Chen: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan
Yu-Cheng Cheng: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan
Chien-Ching Chang: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: Prior investigations have been primarily conducted in a laboratory to examine the effects of the smartphone use on the neck and head positions, whether these results are applicable to actual conditions is still unknown. This field survey thus analyzed the neck flexion (NF), head flexion (HF), gaze angle (GA), and viewing distance (VD) of smartphone users in public areas in Taipei, Taiwan. Six hundred smartphone users (300 men and 300 women) were photographed sagittally in standing, supported sitting, or unsupported sitting postures while using a smartphone. Results showed that women had significantly less NF and HF and shorter VDs than male users. Regardless of gender, higher NF was observed for standing than for sitting. Women had similar NF and HF while sitting supported and unsupported, but both were significantly lower than those while standing. By contrast, male users had higher NF and HF during unsupported sitting than during supported sitting. The NF (45°–50°) was much greater than the recommended maximum safe NF of 15°. Women may be at higher risk of visual strain because of shorter VD.

Keywords: smartphone user; neck flexion; head flexion; standing and sitting; backrest (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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