Students regularly using laptops could risk persistent neck, wrist, back and eye pain but many are unaware of risks until it is too late, says new research.
Ergonomist Dr Rachel Benedyk and her University College London team spoke to 649 undergraduate and postgraduate students and discovered that more than half had experienced aches and pains as a result of their laptop use. An overwhelming majority were unaware of ergonomic guidance on using laptops.
Dr Benedyk said: “Increasingly, students are bringing their own laptops to university. On average, these students are using their laptops for almost five and a half hours a day. This length of time would be considered extensive in a risk assessment.
"University students use their laptops quite differently from school pupils; they want the portability and flexibility of a laptop, but they use them highly intensively in a complex and variable environment. We have shown that this raises ergonomic risks.”
Dr Benedyk has published information leaflets for students to avoid aches and pains while using laptops.
Among the recommendations, she emphasises that the laptop should be positioned centrally to the body to avoid straining and glare, and supported by a table at a reasonable height.
And her golden rule? “Despite its name, you should never use a laptop on your lap!”
'
Join now
