Posture Analysis of Students doing Online Class at Home during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The global pandemic on 2020 led most schools and universities to prepare and start adapting digital education by offering full online classes to students in the comfort of their homes - this situation is said to be one of the "new normal". With this setup, question on whether there is a high vulnerability in students to postural risk and body discomfort became a concern. In this study we aim to assess whether said postural risk and body discomfort are apparent to students doing online classes in their respective home environment. Inputs of twenty-four (24) students were gathered from an online survey made, in which most of the questions were based from CMDQ questionnaire. Postural analysis was completed by using RULA and REBA. The study determined that the highest score from student participants were 7 in RULA and 5 in REBA and that posture risk level scores were of medium risk and necessary to be actioned. Findings were also found that CMDQ discomfort scores calculated in percentages were high to body parts such as lower back (15.37%), neck (13.29%), upper back (10.84%), and right wrist (9.25%). Overall, the study revealed that home environments of students' respondents are not yet ergonomically friendly and that postural risk and body discomfort are evident, too. This study highlights the need for students and parents/guardians' awareness on ergonomics at home to learn and apply in tackling the concern in postural risk and body discomfort, which is also an ongoing concern in school environment, that may cause risk to musculoskeletal conditions.