Effect of physical activity intervention on the musculoskeletal health of university student computer users during homestay

Abstract

Objectives. The coronavirus outbreak delivered the condition of dying from infection and forced people (especially university student computer users) to perform all working and non-working activities during homestay. In this situation, device usage for a longer duration is mainly responsible for work-related health issues. This study aims to discover the effect of a physical activity intervention (PAI) on computer users’ musculoskeletal health during homestay. Methods. The investigation was performed on 40 university student computer users. To measure body discomfort before and after using the PAI, the body part discomfort scale of Corlett and Bishop was applied. Results. After implementing the PAI, the musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) decrement in major body regions was reported as wrist/forearm (from 8.17 ± 1.45 to 4.57 ± 1.10), lower back (from 8.01 ± 1.42 to 4.40 ± 1.14), elbow (from 7.57 ± 1.71 to 3.49 ± 1.13) and neck (from 7.40 ± 1.71 to 4.02 ± 0.81). Conclusions. PAI significantly decreased the discomfort among users in various body regions. This research suggested that PAIs may reduce the risk of MSDs in the long term for different body regions.

Keywords:

• Ergonomics and computers
• physical activity
• musculoskeletal disorders
• work at home

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the National Project Implementing Unit and the Ministry of Human Resources Development for funding support in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Collaborative Research Scheme implemented by the National Project Implementing Unit (NPIU) funded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India [Grant 1-5727963012].