Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Laptop use is associated with a number of musculoskeletal risk factors, however there is a deficit of research pertaining to their use in any context other than a traditional desk and chair. Because laptops are designed to be portable, they are utilized in a wide variety of configurations, some of which may place the user at risk of injury. The current study examines the postural risks associated with three configurations females frequently report employing while using a laptop computer while on a bed. Differences in both posture and choice of configuration are examined as potential explanations for previously noted differences in the prevalence of discomfort associated with laptop use between males and females.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Asundi

Odell

Luce

Dennerlein

J. T.

(2010). Notebook computer use on a desk, lap and lap support: effects on posture, performance and comfort. Ergonomics, 53(1), 74-82.

Bergqvist

Wolgast

Nilsson

Voss

(1995). Musculoskeletal disorders among visual display terminal workers: individual, ergonomic, and work organizational factors. Ergonomics, 38(4), 763776.

Bernard

Sauter

Fine

Peterson

Hales

(1994). Job task and psychosocial risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among newspaper employees. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 20, 417-426.

Chang

C. -H.

Amick

B. C.

Menendez

C. C.

Robertson

del Pino

R. J.

Dennerlein

J. T.

(2008). Where and how college students use their laptop computers. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 52, 1010-1014.

Dunk

N. M.

Callaghan

J. P.

(2005). Gender-based differences in postural responses to seated exposures. Clinical Biomechanics, 20, 11011110.

Erdinc

(2011). Upper extremity musculoskeletal discomfort among occupational notebook personal computer users: work interference, associations with risk factors and the use of notebook computer stand and docking station. Work, 39, 455-463.

Gold

J. E.

Driban

J. B.

Yingling

V. R.

Komaroff

(2012). Characterization of posture and comfort in laptop users in non-desk settings. Applied ergonomics, 43(2), 392-399.

Moffet

Hagberg

Hansson-Risberg

Karlqvist

(2002). Influence of laptop computer design and working position on physical exposure variables. Clinical Biomechanics, 17, 368-375.

Punnett

Bergqvist

(1997). Visual display unit work and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders: a review of epidemiological findings. National Institute for Working Life, Solna, Sweden.

10.

Saito

Miyao

Kondo

Sakakibara

Toyoshima

(1997). Ergonomic evaluation of working posture of VDT operation using personal computer with flat panel display. Industrial health, 35(2), 264.

11.

Straker

Skoss

Burnett

Burgess-Limerick

(2009a). Effect of visual display height on modeled upper and lower cervical gravitational moment, muscle capacity and relative strain. Ergonomics, 52(2), 204-221.

12.

Straker

L. M.

O’Sullivan

P. B.

Smith

A. J.

Perry

M. C.

(2009b). Relationships between prolonged neck/shoulder pain and sitting spinal posture in male and female adolescents. Manual therapy, 14(3), 321-329.

13.

Werth

A. J.

Babski-Reeves

(2012). Assessing posture while typing on portable computing devices in traditional work environments and at home. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 56, 1258-1262.

Postural Risks Associated with Laptop Use on a Bed

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References