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| iPad - the right way |
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Harvard scientists give tips on the best posture for tablet users.
Recently maintaining your posture has also become an issue when using tablets. Researchers at Harvard Medical School advise users of iPads and other tablets to position their devices as high as possible. "Poor posture increases the probability of back pain and a constant distance and position is not good for the eyes. In this regard, the tablet sometimes brings problems but sometimes also benefits", explains Ahmet Cakir, Director of the Ergonomic Institute for Occupational and Social Sciences Research.
The Harvard researchers gave 15 test persons tasks to perform on the tablet, such as Internet browsing, reading, playing, reading and writing e-mails and watching movies. Four postures were tested on two different devices, the iPad2 from Apple and the Motorola Xoom: Use on the lap - either in the hand or on a stand, on the table with stands either in flat operating mode or in upright film mode. The tested stands were Apple’s SmartCover and Motorola’s Portfolio Case, which allow two tilt angles of 15 and 73 degrees and 45 and 63 degrees, respectively. An infrared measurement for 3D-movement analysis showed that, with the exception of film mode, the head and neck were always more tilted than with PC or laptop use. How good or bad the posture was, depended strongly on the position of the tablet. As the researchers indicate, the best is when tablet users position their device as high as possible to avoid a flat viewing angle – better on the table than on the lap - and use a case that allows steep viewing angles, though this makes manual operation impossible.
A tilted position would be optimal
Tablets are used in a similar position as books. Indeed, even with books posture is usually poor, points out ergonomist Cakir from Berlin. "Early depictions of monks show that books were previously read on a lectern. School desks also had an incline. Through stands and similar aids, the optimum reading angle of 35 degrees is nearly achieved. The head is tilted 20 degrees toward the front, the eyes by an additional 15 degrees." The screen should be 40-60 centimeters from the eye. However, the crux of the tablet is that the user not only reads it or watches videos on it but also operates it with their hands and fingers. This interaction requires a completely different posture, which is why Cakir recommends placing it on a horizontal surface. "There is no ideal posture for both uses at the same time. People who type a lot on the tablet should therefore get a Bluetooth keyboard. Touch-screen typing is also measurably slower and more erroneous."
Compact size has benefits
However, the tablet also offers and ergonomic advantage over desktop PCs or laptops: Its compact size allows the user to switch the holding hand or to regularly change the distance between eyes and monitor, which usually happens unconsciously. "The change in posture is beneficial from a posture perspective. This is barely possible on the laptop because - except for when you are opening and closing the monitor – the same posture is always required."
(Source: www.news.at, iPad aber ergonomisch, February 21, 2012) |
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| Thonet Essence 01 |
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An illustrated journey into the world’s most tradition-rich furniture manufacturer.
Using emotive images, the book invites the reader to discover the company’s fascinating history and production processes. The latter clearly demonstrate how every single piece of Thonet furniture combines a wealth of attention to detail with the highest quality requirements.
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You can purchase the book through Thonet specialist trade partners or carefully selected bookstores at a price of € 19.95.
To experience a digital version of the book or to learn more about this fascinating design company with tradition, simply visit the Thonet homepage. |
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