Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science

korean Academy of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science (물리치료재활과학회)
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Changes in upper limb muscle activity during smartphone usage while in stable and unstable positions and during gait

  • Kim, You Lim (Division of Healthcare Technology Assessment Research/National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency) ;
  • Lee, Suk Min (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Lee, Hyun-Soo (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Song, Juyeong (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Song, Si-On (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Seol, Min-Ji (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Jang, Yu-Mi (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Im, Jin-Sik (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Im, Ji-Woo (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University)
  • Received : 2018.08.23
  • Accepted : 2018.09.14
  • Published : 2018.09.30
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Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the influence of smartphone usage on the upper limb muscles while in stable and unstable positions and during gait. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The study was conducted with 20 right-handed university students between 20 and 27 years of age. Experiments were carried out on students who have used cell phones for more than a year. In this study, experiments were performed with one-handed and two-handed smartphone operations while on stable ground, and the same parameters were measured during smartphone use on unstable ground and during gait. Subjects were instructed to write a text message in Korean on the smartphone for 3 minutes. This was repeated 3 times, with a rest period of 10 seconds given between each 3-minute period. Electromyography was used to record the muscle activity of the upper trapezius, extensor carpi radialis, extensor pollicis longus, and abductor pollicis (AP) during phone operation. Results: The muscle activity value for the right AP in one-handed and the left-AP in two-handed operations was statistically higher than the other muscles in the stable position and during gait (p<0.0001). Also, the right AP in the one- handed operation condition was statistically higher than the two-handed condition (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The use of smartphones while in a stable position resulted in high muscle activity of the right upper limb AP. However, in an unstable position, there were no significant differences from the other muscle activities. Using smartphone while assuming various positions may lead to musculoskeletal disorders in different places.

Keywords

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