Effect of musculoskeletal disorders due to the use of data display screens in young university students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35366/111120Keywords:
musculoskeletal disorders, data display screens, lordosis, university students, COVID-19 pandemicAbstract
Introduction: the WHO in March 2020 declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, with the pronouncement
that social distancing will be applied, then the lifestyle had to change, including learning activities that
had to migrate to online using data display screens (DDS). However, prolonged use can generate
severe health effects such as musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: analyze and correlate the different
musculoskeletal disorders with prolonged use of DDS, as well as identify the possible injuries or
postural modifications in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods:
a cohort study was conducted with 65 students according to the selection criteria applied. X-ray plates
(AP and lateral cervical spine) were taken from each of the participants. The radiological markings
were carried out to assess and identify the presence of biomechanical alterations; comparisons
were also made according to the use of DDS. Results: among the different types of DDS that the
participants used, the highest percentage was for the smartphone, which they used in their bedroom
for 9 to 10 hours per day. According to the ratio between the cervical angle and depth measurement,
75.4% of participants presented hypolordosis, and 72.3% presented extension or posteriority of C1.
Conclusions: we demonstrated the presence of biomechanical alterations in the cervical spine
derived from the prolonged use of DDS in university students, mainly in those who use smartphones
for 8 to 10 hours. There is a significant correlation between the radiological markings of the cervical
angle and the depth measurement, and a decrease in cervical curvature (hypolordosis).
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Copyright (c) 2023 Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra
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