title: Postures, typing strategies, and gender differences in mobile device usage: an observational study.
abstract: Mobile device text messaging and other typing is rapidly increasing worldwide. A checklist was utilized to characterize joint postures and typing styles in individuals appearing to be of college age (n = 859) while typing on their mobile devices in public. Gender differences were also ascertained. Almost universally, observed subjects had a flexed neck (91.0%, n = 782), and a non-neutral typing-side wrist (90.3%, n = 776). A greater proportion of males had protracted shoulders (p < 0.01, χ(2) test), while a greater proportion of females had a typing-side inner elbow angle of <90°, particularly while standing (p = 0.03, χ(2) test). 46.1% of subjects typed with both thumbs (two hands holding the mobile device). Just over one-third typed with their right thumb (right hand holding the mobile device). No difference in typing styles between genders was found. Future research should determine whether the non-neutral postures identified may be associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue 004-09, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. Judith.Gold@temple.edu
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Driban
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chakravarty
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Channell
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Komaroff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D057189:Checklist; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D012737:Sex Factors; D060145:Text Messaging; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult