The effect of walking while typing on neck/shoulder patterns

Auteurs

Larissa M. Fedorowich, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, H2W 1S4, QC, Canada, Feil and Oberfeld/CRIR Research Center, Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, 3205 Alton Goldbloom Place, Laval, H7V 1R2, QC, Canada
Kim Emery, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, H2W 1S4, QC, Canada, Feil and Oberfeld/CRIR Research Center, Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, 3205 Alton Goldbloom Place, Laval, H7V 1R2, QC, Canada
Julie N. Côté, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, H2W 1S4, QC, Canada, Feil and Oberfeld/CRIR Research Center, Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, 3205 Alton Goldbloom Place, Laval, H7V 1R2, QC, Canada

Type de document

Études primaires

Année de publication

2015

Langue

Anglais

Titre de la revue

European Journal of Applied Physiology

Première page

1813

Dernière page

1823

Résumé

Purpose: This project aimed to quantify the effects of modifying computer work posture on neck/shoulder patterns during a prolonged typing task.

Method: Twenty healthy participants completed a 90-min typing task while sitting or walking on a treadmill. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from eight upper body muscles and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) from two upper body sites. Effects of Time and Posture were assessed for EMG amplitude (RMS), variability (CoV), normalized mutual information (NMI), LDF and upper limb discomfort.

Results: Upper limb discomfort was higher during sitting and increased with time, from 0.86 ± 1.3 to 3.7 ± 3.1 out of 10. Interaction effects showed that EMG amplitude decreased over time for the lumbar erector spinae (LES) (from 6.3 ± 2.9 to 5.6 ± 3.2 % MIVC) and wrist extensor (from 12.4 ± 2.7 to 11.3 ± 3.5 % MIVC) during walking, but increased during sitting. Anterior Deltoid EMG amplitude was 64 % lower during walking while External Oblique EMG amplitude (43 %) and Lower Trapezius EMG variability (65 %) were higher during walking. Interaction effects showed higher LES CoV during walking compared to sitting (p = 0.019) in the beginning but not at the end of the task, and higher neck/shoulder NMI (p = 0.050) towards the end of the task during sitting compared to walking.

Conclusion: Results suggest that walking while performing computer work may be effective in inducing healthier muscular patterns, possibly explaining the lower level of discomfort compared to sitting. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Mots-clés

Cou, Neck, Épaule, Shoulder, Posture de travail, Work posture, Mécanographie, Keyboard operation, Posture debout, Standing posture

Numéro de projet IRSST

n/a

Citation recommandée

Fedorowich, L. M., Emery, K. et Côté, J. N. (2015). The effect of walking while typing on neck/shoulder patterns. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 115(8), 1813-1823. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3163-3