EFFECT OF PROLONGED SITTING DURATION ON THE RISK FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG PC GAMERS
Author: Muhammad Nur Luqman CHUMARI, Mohd Razif MAT HASAN, Ammar ADNAN, Radin Zaid RADIN UMAR, Siby SAMUEL, ‘Atiah ABDULLAH SIDEK, Malek HAMID
Abstract: In the era of booming gaming industries, gamers are exposed to prolonged sitting involving awkward posture and repetitive tasks that contribute to the risk for musculoskeletal disorders. However, there is no study have been done on the effect of prolonged gaming activities on the human trunk and neck postures. Thus, the objectives of the study are: (i) to evaluate the effect of prolonged gaming on the trunk posture by using the trunk posture analysis; (ii) to evaluate the effect of prolonged gaming on the trunk posture by using the trunk posture analysis; and (iii) to evaluate the discomfort level among the gamers during pre- and post-experimental session by using the Corlett & Bishop’s Scale. Ten participants between 20-25 years of age [mean = 23.85; SD 1.16] completed the study where their activities during gaming were recorded for three hours. From the video output, their postures (trunk and neck) was scored by separating the data into three different categories – one-hour-data, two-hours-data, and three-hours-data. In addition, they also were asked to self-rate their discomfort level pre- and post-experimental session. The results show that: (i) the mean values of the trunk posture score of one-hour-data, two-hours-data, and three-hours-data are 2.12 [SD = 0.331], 2.15 [SD = 0.383], and 2.31 [SD=0.464] respectively; (ii) the mean values of the neck posture score of one-hour-data, two-hours-data, and three-hours-data are 2.13 [SD = 0.715], 2.01 [SD = 0.767], and 2.44 [SD=0.643] respectively; and (iii) the mean values of the self-rated discomfort level of pre- and post-experimental are 0.37 [SD = 0.669] and 1.90 [SD = 1.155] respectively, and the difference is 1.53 [SD = 1.196]. The findings show that prolonged gaming duration do affect the gamers, specifically on the trunk and neck posture that requires an awareness from the gamers.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Gamers, Prolonged Duration, Posture Ergonomics