For the college student, studying and research is largely computer-based. The majority of students use laptop computers, spending long periods of time hunched over the keyboard. This presents a problem for their posture.
Ergonomics is just as important for college students as it is for the office worker. By practicing good ergonomics now students will avoid future injury and have more control over their musculoskeletal health.
Associating college students with ergonomics seems an unusual correlation. However, consider the times. With the use of computers beginning earlier for today’s children, by the time they reach college they are already at risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Add into the mix the copious use of instant messaging and games on the computer and you have a recipe for serious repetitive stress injury.
Laptop Computers And Poor Seating The Culprits In Ergonomic Struggle
College students often use laptops in the classroom and then follow that with long hours of continuous use without a break. This creates a pattern ideal for the onset of neck strain and back pain as well as carpel tunnel syndrome. A large majority of students use laptops on the bed, the floor or, as the name implies, in their laps.
The computer is only one culprit in the battle of poor ergonomics. Students are subjected to chairs that are not favorable to proper posture. Many classrooms and lecture halls have integrated larger tablet arms to accommodate laptop computers. Some colleges have instituted conference-size tables with individual seating.
What steps can be taken at home or in the dorm for the college student? Studies have shown that ergonomics is only partly remedied by the proper furniture. The rest is knowledge about posture. There are simple solutions to the problem. A proper workstation that provides adjustable seating options is one way to achieve a more ergonomically correct workspace. Investing in an ergonomic chair that incorporates proper back support with adjustable controls for height, lumbar support and arm height is vital.
Parents can take an active part in supporting their child’s musculoskeletal health. Many parents provide their college-bound children with laptop computers. Why not invest in their posture as well? Send them away to college with an ergonomic chair. Give them the gift of a healthy back and neck by surprising them with a proper chair for their home study area. You can even purchase a chair that sports your student’s school colors.
To raise awareness of the ergonomic issue on campuses worldwide, students at Stanford and Harvard are creating websites that inform their peers. These websites are interactive, inviting students to voice their opinions and their concerns. The creators of these websites aim to increase awareness and educate the college community to this growing problem.
Time has proven that college students and ergonomics go hand-in-hand. More and more students are using laptops and spending long, uninterrupted hours sitting in lecture halls, stooping over the computer in their laps, on the floor and in an ill-fitted desk chair. The problem is rising to a level that has resulted in a more active pursuit of solutions and awareness. Addressing the problem early on with ergonomic seating and educating on proper posture will save students the pain of future ailments associated with years of improper seating and computer use.