Size matters : effect of screen setup on muscle activity and posture in computer work
Dahlqvist, Camilla LU ; Arvidsson, Inger LU ; Löfqvist, Lotta LU ; Nyström, Marcus LU
; Glimne, Susanne
and Hemphälä, Hillevi
LU
(2025)
In Ergonomics
- Abstract
- This research aims to investigate and compare how computers work on five different workstation setups of multiple or large screens and viewing distances (27-inch and 49-inch at 70 or 90 cm viewing distance) affect muscular load in neck/shoulders, working postures, and perceived exertions of non-presbyopic participants. The electrical activity in the trapezius shoulder and trapezius neck muscles, and work postures of the head and back were recorded with objective, technical methods. The perceived exertions in the neck/shoulder and eyes, and the participants' opinions of the different workstations, were collected. Overall, the 49-inch curved screen with a viewing distance of 90 cm was quantitatively recorded and qualitatively rated as the... (More)
- This research aims to investigate and compare how computers work on five different workstation setups of multiple or large screens and viewing distances (27-inch and 49-inch at 70 or 90 cm viewing distance) affect muscular load in neck/shoulders, working postures, and perceived exertions of non-presbyopic participants. The electrical activity in the trapezius shoulder and trapezius neck muscles, and work postures of the head and back were recorded with objective, technical methods. The perceived exertions in the neck/shoulder and eyes, and the participants' opinions of the different workstations, were collected. Overall, the 49-inch curved screen with a viewing distance of 90 cm was quantitatively recorded and qualitatively rated as the best setup of all five workstations included in the study. The 49-inch screen was also objectively and subjectively rated to be better than 2 × 27-inch screens. The 2 × 27-inch V-formation setup was subjectively favoured compared to the 2 × 27-inch L-formation setup. (Less)
- Abstract (Swedish)
- Abstract
This research aims to investigate and compare how computers work on five different workstation setups of multiple or large screens and viewing distances (27-inch and 49-inch at 70 or 90 cm viewing distance) affect muscular load in neck/shoulders, working postures, and perceived exertions of non-presbyopic participants. The electrical activity in the trapezius shoulder and trapezius neck muscles, and work postures of the head and back were recorded with objective, technical methods. The perceived exertions in the neck/shoulder and eyes, and the participants' opinions of the different workstations, were collected. Overall, the 49-inch curved screen with a viewing distance of 90 cm was quantitatively recorded and qualitatively... (More) - Abstract
This research aims to investigate and compare how computers work on five different workstation setups of multiple or large screens and viewing distances (27-inch and 49-inch at 70 or 90 cm viewing distance) affect muscular load in neck/shoulders, working postures, and perceived exertions of non-presbyopic participants. The electrical activity in the trapezius shoulder and trapezius neck muscles, and work postures of the head and back were recorded with objective, technical methods. The perceived exertions in the neck/shoulder and eyes, and the participants' opinions of the different workstations, were collected. Overall, the 49-inch curved screen with a viewing distance of 90 cm was quantitatively recorded and qualitatively rated as the best setup of all five workstations included in the study. The 49-inch screen was also objectively and subjectively rated to be better than 2 × 27-inch screens. The 2 × 27-inch V-formation setup was subjectively favoured compared to the 2 × 27-inch L-formation setup.
Practitioner summary
Practitioners at the Occupational Health Services ask for counsel on how to place large or multiple computer screens. By using quantitative and qualitative methods, we propose recommendations on size, viewing distance, and screen setup for non-presbyopic humans to reduce the risk of visual and physical ergonomic complaints during computer work. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/e89269bd-bf77-4e11-b11e-3ea044907e19
- author
- Dahlqvist, Camilla
LU
; Arvidsson, Inger
LU
; Löfqvist, Lotta
LU
; Nyström, Marcus
LU
; Glimne, Susanne
and Hemphälä, Hillevi
LU
- organization
-
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology
- Metalund
- LTH Profile Area: Photon Science and Technology
- Centre for Healthy Indoor Environments
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (research group)
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University
- Environmental health and occupational health (research group)
- LU Profile Area: Natural and Artificial Cognition
- Lund University Humanities Lab
- eSSENCE: The e-Science Collaboration
- publishing date
- 2025-06-10
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- in
- Ergonomics
- pages
- 14 pages
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105008073732
- pmid:40495430
- ISSN
- 0014-0139
- DOI
- 10.1080/00140139.2025.2507089
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- e89269bd-bf77-4e11-b11e-3ea044907e19
- date added to LUP
- 2025-09-26 09:53:49
- date last changed
- 2025-10-14 09:56:33
@article{e89269bd-bf77-4e11-b11e-3ea044907e19,
abstract = {{This research aims to investigate and compare how computers work on five different workstation setups of multiple or large screens and viewing distances (27-inch and 49-inch at 70 or 90 cm viewing distance) affect muscular load in neck/shoulders, working postures, and perceived exertions of non-presbyopic participants. The electrical activity in the trapezius shoulder and trapezius neck muscles, and work postures of the head and back were recorded with objective, technical methods. The perceived exertions in the neck/shoulder and eyes, and the participants' opinions of the different workstations, were collected. Overall, the 49-inch curved screen with a viewing distance of 90 cm was quantitatively recorded and qualitatively rated as the best setup of all five workstations included in the study. The 49-inch screen was also objectively and subjectively rated to be better than 2 × 27-inch screens. The 2 × 27-inch V-formation setup was subjectively favoured compared to the 2 × 27-inch L-formation setup.}},
author = {{Dahlqvist, Camilla and Arvidsson, Inger and Löfqvist, Lotta and Nyström, Marcus and Glimne, Susanne and Hemphälä, Hillevi}},
issn = {{0014-0139}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{06}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{Ergonomics}},
title = {{Size matters : effect of screen setup on muscle activity and posture in computer work}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2025.2507089}},
doi = {{10.1080/00140139.2025.2507089}},
year = {{2025}},
}