| Abstract |
| This study aimed to quantify the segmental flexion characteristics and postural variability of the thoracic and lumbar spine based on visual display terminal (VDT) work types using wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs). Three IMU sensors were attached to the upper thoracic, lower thoracic, and pelvic regions to derive intersegmental flexion angles and range of motion. Ten healthy male participants in their 20s completed four sitting conditions each lasting 10 minutes: upright sitting, desktop computer work, laptop computer work, and smartphone use. The results showed that the location and magnitude of spinal flexion differed across VDT conditions. Lower thoracic flexion increased significantly in the desktop computer condition, whereas lumbar flexion was significantly elevated in the laptop and desktop computer conditions. Torso-pelvic flexion was significantly elevated across all three VDT conditions. The thoracic range of motion was higher in all VDT conditions, suggesting continuous microadjustments during task performance. Notably, the laptop condition showed a relatively greater upper thoracic flexion angle paired with a relatively low torso-pelvic range of motion, suggesting that spinal flexion magnitude and postural variability do not necessarily correlate. Taken together, these findings support the need for device-specific spinal management and may serve as foundational data for developing personalized seating assistance systems, wearable postural feedback devices, and user-centered healthcare systems. |
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| Key Words |
| Wearable IMU Sensor, VDT Work Posture, Spinal Segmental Flexion, Postural Variability, Thoracic and Lumbar Spine, 웨어러블 IMU 센서, VDT 작업 자세, 척추 분절 굴곡, 자세 변동성, 흉추 및 요추 |
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