The influence of computer monitor height on head and neck posture

doi:10.1016/S0169-8141(97)00033-4

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

Volume 23, Issue 3, 1 March 1999, Pages 171-179

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(97)00033-4 Get rights and content

Abstract

This research describes the influence of “eye level” and “low” monitor locations on the head and neck posture of subjects performing a word processing task. Lowering the monitor to a position 18° below eye level had no significant effect on the position of the neck relative to the trunk, while the mean flexion of the head relative to the neck increased by 5° (p=0.024). In the “eye level” condition the mean gaze angle was 17° below the ear-eye line, and in the “low” condition the average gaze angle was 25° below the ear-eye line. Lowering the monitor thus allows gaze angles closer to that preferred (somewhere between 35° and 44° below the ear-eye line) to be adopted. An examination of head and neck biomechanics suggests that recommendations of the “top of monitor at eye height” type must be questioned.

Relevance to industry

Current recommendations regarding the appropriate height of computer monitors are based more on intuition than empirical evidence. Lower computer monitor placements may be beneficial.

Section snippets

Subjects

Twelve staff and students from a university population (aged 21–30) volunteered to participate. All were familiar with keyboard/monitor workstations and possessed some word processing experience.

Procedure

Each subject was provided with a chair, desk, document holder, keyboard, and monitor. The chair, document holder, and monitor were adjustable in height and tilt, and the desk was adjustable in height only. Each subject participated in two experimental conditions which differed only in the location of

Results

Examination of the summary statistics (Table 1) reveals reliable differences between the “eye height” and “low” monitor conditions in terms of the postures adopted to perform the word processing task. The positions of the neck relative to the trunk did not differ; however, greater flexion of the atlanto-occipital and upper cervical joints was observed in the “low” monitor condition. Specifically, while the “low” monitor was associated with an increase in the average maximum flexion of the neck

Discussion

Lowering the monitor did not cause changes in the posture of the neck relative to the trunk, but did increase the flexion of the head relative to the neck. Subjects did not adopt postures in either condition which approximated the previously reported preferred gaze angles, although the gaze angles adopted in the “low” condition were closer.

It is not clear what the functional consequences of the observed postural changes might be. Increases in flexor moment are an inevitable consequence of

References (21)

V.K. Goel et al.
Moment-rotation relationships of the ligamentous occipito-atlanto-axial complex
Journal of Biomechanics
(1988)
H. Hsiao et al.
Evaluating posture behavior during seated tasks
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
(1991)
C.J. Snijders et al.
A biomechanical model for the analysis of the cervical spine in static posture
Journal of Biomechanics
(1991)
D.R. Ankrum et al.
Posture, comfort, and monitor placement
Ergonomics in Design
(1995)
U. Bergquist et al.
Musculoskeletal disorders among visual display terminal workersIndividual, ergonomic, and work organizational factors
Ergonomics
(1995)
R. Cailliet
Neck and Arm Pain
(1991)
D.B. Chaffin
Localized muscle fatiguedefinition and measurement
Journal of Occupational Medicine
(1973)
M. Dalton et al.
The effect of age on cervical posture in a normal population
M. de Wall et al.
Improving the sitting posture of CAD/CAM workers by increasing VDU monitor working height
Ergonomics
(1992)
K. Harms-Ringdahl et al.
Load moments and myoelectric activity when the cervical spine is held in full flexion and extension
Ergonomics
(1986)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (64)

Using evidence to support the design of submarine control console workstations
2019, Applied Ergonomics
Citation Excerpt :
However, one low quality study (Fogleman and Lewis, 2002) found low monitors resulted in a higher risk factor for shoulder/back discomfort. A moderate level of evidence was found to support the statement that a lower screen, top edge of screen approximately 10 cm below horizontal eye level when viewing distance is approximately 57 cm (line of sight 15–300 below the horizontal line of sight), results in positive health effects (Aaras et al., 1997; Burgess-Limerick et al., 1998, 1999, 2000; Fostervold et al., 2006; Izquierdo et al., 2004; Konig et al., 2015; Korhonen et al., 2003; Sommerich et al., 2001; Straker et al., 2009a, 2009b; Turville et al., 1998). Two moderate quality studies (Straker et al., 2009b; Turville et al., 1998) found a screen lower than 400 resulted in increased strain on neck muscles.
This paper outlines an approach to develop practical guidelines to support the design of submarine control console workstations.
Guideline development was undertaken for 13 physical design criteria, provided to the research team. Data was gathered from four sources: a systematic literature review, relevant standards, population specific anthropometric data, and user focus groups. The systematic review included risk of bias, quality assessment and evidence synthesis.
The systematic review retrieved 43 relevant articles in relation to seven of the 13 design criteria. Very few high-quality studies were identified. The combined evidence available from each of the four data sources was collated and used to provide a set of guidelines for each of the 13 criteria, highlighting the importance of the use of multiple data sources. This approach has applicability beyond this study where the need exists to collate evidence sources beyond the scientific literature.
Design specifications for Multi-Function Consoles for use in submarines using anthropometric data of South Koreans
2017, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
Citation Excerpt :
Operators usually track and analyze targets using the lower monitor, and detect any unexpected signals using the upper monitor in case of emergency. As several VDT (Visual Display Terminal) studies insist, incorrect monitor placement causes postural discomfort and leads to aches (Burgess-Limerick et al., 1999; Villanueva et al., 1996). Thus, we examined the appropriate distances and proper angles for the monitors.
These days, the importance of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HF&E) when producing military systems is being increasingly recognized. However, existing literature and guidelines have predominantly focused on the minimum requirements rather than optimal parameters when HF&E departments have associated with designers and engineers. Thus, in this paper, we investigate a design process suggesting optimal parameters for multi-function consoles (MFCs) installed in submarines using anthropometric data for Koreans. The design procedure utilized in this paper follows “clarification”, “analysis”, “design”, “simulation”, and “evaluation”. For the clarification step, effective design factors taking into account operators’ postures were identified via the task analysis. During the analysis, HF&E criteria as well as the ethnic characteristics of Koreans were investigated to evaluate the minimum requirements of design factors. The anthropometric data from the Size Korea project, which includes measurements from a total of 14,016 people from the Republic of Korea, were utilized to suggest appropriate ranges for the design parameters. Design and simulation steps were iteratively preceded by evaluating the design specifications for their appropriateness through human simulation modeling. Finally, a full-scale mock-up was developed; 10 HF&E experts conducted the direction and detection tasks carried out by navy crews to evaluate reaction time as well as subjective comfort. Thus, with the results from this study, we were able to successfully suggest and validate the design specifications for submarine-mounted MFCs for Korean use by utilizing Korean anthropometric data.
The ergonomic design of classroom furniture/computer work station for first graders in the elementary school
2010, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
Children have been known to spend over 30% of their time at school. Most classroom activities involve sitting for long periods of time, with little or no breaks. Every effort should be made to ensure that young children do not experience back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged sitting on improperly designed classroom furniture. This paper proposes a methodology and guidelines for the design of ergonomic-oriented classroom furniture for first graders in the elementary school. The anthropometric measures of twenty first graders were used to develop regression equations for the furniture dimensions. The analysis of the relevant anthropometric measures such as stature, weight, body mass index (BMI), popliteal height, buttock-popliteal length, and hip breadth shows that stature and body mass index are important factors in the design of the classroom furniture. Adjustability was incorporated into the design in order to recommend the appropriate dimensions for the design of the classroom furniture. Based on the need to accommodate at least 90% of the population of first graders in the United States, this paper proposes furniture design dimensions for seat height (25.83–32.23 cm); seat depth (27.41–33.86 cm); seat width (17.91–23.29 cm); back rest (35.64–44.37 cm); arm rest (16.28–20.68 cm); and desk height (30.12–37.85 cm). This anthropometric analysis could be used to design ergonomic-oriented classroom furniture which would not only incorporate adjustability, but also improve the level of comfort for the intended users.
The effect of deep neck flexor endurance on craniovertebral angle changes and neck and shoulder muscle activities during a computer task
2024, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
Physical Load While Using a Tablet at Different Tilt Angles during Sitting and Standing
2022, Sensors
Neck Muscular Load When Using a Smartphone While Sitting, Standing, and Walking
2021, Human Factors

View all citing articles on Scopus

¹: Requests for reprints should be sent to Robin Burgess-Limerick, Department of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, 4072, Australia.

View full text

The influence of computer monitor height on head and neck posture1

Abstract

Section snippets

Subjects

Procedure

Results

Discussion

Journal of Biomechanics

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

Journal of Biomechanics

Posture, comfort, and monitor placement

Ergonomics in Design

Musculoskeletal disorders among visual display terminal workersIndividual, ergonomic, and work organizational factors

Ergonomics

Neck and Arm Pain

Localized muscle fatiguedefinition and measurement

Journal of Occupational Medicine

The effect of age on cervical posture in a normal population

Improving the sitting posture of CAD/CAM workers by increasing VDU monitor working height

Ergonomics

Load moments and myoelectric activity when the cervical spine is held in full flexion and extension

Ergonomics

The influence of computer monitor height on head and neck posture¹