Stay Healthy

Using Computers and Other

“Stuff”Jeffrey Chung,

Ph.D August 8, 2002

What is Ergonomics?

• Called Ergonomists or Human

Factors Scientist

• Study people through: Anatomy (body) Kinesiology

(movement) Psychology (behavior) Engineering (design)

• Design and build things to help people work

safely and efficiently.

• Teach people how not to hurt their bodies

The Human Body

• Skeleton

• Muscles

• Tendons

• Ligament

s

• Nerves

We’re All Different Sizes

What if you use things

that don’t fit your size?

TOO SMALL

Could you still do things

as quickly, correctly,

comfortably and safely?

TOO BIG

Where Do You Use Computers?

Science Camp Baby Support

Class

Home

Library Computer Games

Hand Held Games

Are Computers Safe to Use?

While

computers are

educational and

fun, what are

they doing to

your bodies?

When There’s Bad

“Fit”Ergonomics

When using computers thewrong way:

Problems with with

eyeseyes Trouble with posture, back, neck, arms and hand muscles

Bryan- Not a Cool Dude Anymore!

• Age 5 – Video Games• Age 8 – Gets 1st PC• Dream Job – Be a

programmer• Age 14 – Stiff fingers and

cramped hands slouching long hours over PC

• Age 18 – Quits Computing Science major in college; (can’t type – hands numb)

Dream Job – GONE!

CNN

Fuzzy Eyes and Bad Backs!

• Too much computer use in the WRONG WAY can cause problems to your body:

Eyesight

Musculoskeletal pain

Long-term posture effects

• Creating a mis-matched over a long

period of time could lead to vision

(nearsightedness) and joint, muscle,

tendon and back problems.

Other Ergo Problems• Gripping and writing with pencils and pens

• Carrying school books and supplies in backpacks

home to school and back between classes

What Can You Control?

(for how long)

(fingers/hand/arms/back)

• Body Posture/Body Position

• Force(how hard we

grip)• Frequency(how many times)• Duration

Bad Ergonomics

Bad Ergonomics

You might not be able to: • (1) put your feet on the floor

• (2) reach the keyboard• (3) have a level view of the computer monitor • (4) maintain a correct posture to type and view the

computer monitor

“Good” Ergonomic

s • Neutral

position

Feet on floor or use box

Mouse that fits hand

Keyboar

d near

lap

height

Head

straight;

eyes at

top of

monitor

Eyes (18”–22”) from monitor; avoid glare

Elbows at 90o, arms at sides (no reaching) wrists straight

Back rest

• Stretch & Exercise

• Time outs/take breaks - 45 minutes

• Support your body

Watch the Hand Movements!

DON'T hold your wrists at a dangerous angle!

DO keep your wrists in a straight neutral line!

WATCH WATCH

IT IT !!

HeavyBackpack

s

Backache

s

OUCH!

OUCH!

Backpacks: Wrong Way = Backaches !

WRONG: over 1 shoulder WRONG: too heavy

Safe Way to Wear Backpacks

Step 1: Choosing the right size backpack is the most important step to safe backpack use. (Tip: Bring a friend to help you measure your backpack properly).

Step 2: Pack only what you

need – 15% of how much you

weigh (Tip: If backpack

forces you to lean forward to

carry, it's overloaded).

Safe Way to Wear Backpacks

Step 3: Lift Right - face the pack, bend at the knees, use both hands & check the pack’s weight. Lift with the legs; apply one shoulder strap, then the other. (Tip: Don't hang backpack only on one shoulder.

Step 4: Wear Right - use both shoulder straps - snug, but not too tight. (Tip: When the backpack has a waist strap - use it).

Digital Exercise – Squeeze!

Stretchand

StrengthenArms, Hands

& Fingers

Before We End, Remember . . .

• Poor posture and awkward body

movements can become habits.

• Habits hard to change more you

do them over and over again.

• Bad ergonomic habits cause you

to get hurt when you grow bigger

and older.

Always do things staying in

NEUTRAL POSITON as often

and as long as possible!

Got Questions?Got Questions?