The short-term effect of smartphone usage on the upper-back postures of university students

• Main Authors: Maria Elizabeth Cochrane, Muziwakhe Daniel Tshabalala, Nkateko Climax Hlatswayo, Rosina Mahlatse Modipana, Pertunia Phuti Makibelo, Exaggerate Potego Mashale, Lerato Caroline Pete
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2019-01-01
• Series: Cogent Engineering
• Subjects: smartphones; posture; upper-back; university students
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2019.1627752

The purpose of the current study was to determine the short-term effects of smartphone usage on the upper-back postures of university students. Sixty-three students completed a self-administered questionnaire and photographic postural analysis. Smartphone usage significantly affected shoulder protraction on the non-dominant side (p = 0.000); thoracic kyphosis (p = 0.000); lateral neck flexion (p = 0.029 left and p = 0.001 right) and pelvic obliquity (p = 0.000 left and right). The results indicate that smartphones negatively affect the postures of university students and may result in severe long-term clinical implications such as chronic neck-, thoracic- and low back pain, headaches and decreased concentration.