Affiliations: [a] Independent Consultant, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa. | [b] South African Medical Research Council, University of Cape Town, Observatory Cape 7925, South Africa. | [c] Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town Medical School, Observatory Cape 7925, South Africa.
Abstract: A laboratory study was conducted in order to investigate postural adaptations to constrained standing during VDT work sessions. Standing postures were observed in six different workspaces which were designed using combinations of foot position (which was either constrained or unconstrained) and varied VDT screen height. Subjects at work were recorded stereophotogrammetrically and postural variables were obtained in three dimensions. Postural adaptation was found to be significantly asymmetrical with the weight carried on the left. The constrained foot position resulted in more bending forward from the hip. Raised screen height resulted in decreased neck flexion and increased hip flexion. It was concluded that recommendations for seated VDT work are not always applicable to standing VDT work.
