Assessment of Forward Head Posture and Ergonomics in Young IT Professionals - Reasons to Worry?

BACKGROUND:  Prolonged computer use and poor ergonomics among IT professionals are considered risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. This research aims to analyze the degree of forward head posture and workplace ergonomics in young IT professionals to assess the risk for a neck disability. Methods: A prospective study was carried out by assessing the sitting posture at work, neck disability in the cervical region, quality of life, physical activity, and ergonomics of the workspace in 73 young IT professionals (32.56±5.46 years). Results: The score for the cervical functional disability index (NDI) showed a mild neck disability (8.19±7.51). The craniovertebral angle has an average value of 32.01±11.46, corresponding to a light forward head posture, and it positively correlated with age and work experience and negatively correlated with ROSA (r=0.24, p<0.05). The NDI positively correlated with physical activity (r =00.32 p<0.05) and with ROSA (r= 0.24, p<0.05). Conclusions: In IT professionals, neck disability is associated with the lack of workspace ergonomics and the amount of physical activity. Forward head posture correlated with age, work experience, and poor workspace ergonomics. According to our findings, there are real concerns about the influence of head posture and workplace ergonomics on health among IT professionals. We consider that it is necessary to adopt preventive measures to address neck disability and improve workspace ergonomics.

Factors Predisposing to Weight Gain in Young Adults during COVID-19 Home Confinement

Introducere: Izolarea la domiciliu în timpul pandemiei COVID-19 a redus nivelul de activitate fizica şi a exacerbat alte comportamente nesanatoase, cum ar fi viciile şi tulburarile alimentare. Acest studiu analizeaza factorii de risc care predispun la creşterea în greutate în timpul izolarii la domiciliu, în cazul adulţilor tineri. Material si metoda: Patru sute treizeci şi trei de studenţi, cu vârste cuprinse între 19 şi 25 de ani, au participat la un sondaj online care a avut ca scop identificarea factorilor asociaţi creşterii în greutate. Urmatoarele dimensiuni ale stilului de viaţă au fost investigate într-un model de regresie: activitatea fizica, experienţele personale, ocupaţia şi riscul de comportamente vicioase. Rezultate: Am gasit asociaţii semnificative între creşterea în greutate (ca variabila dependenta) şi frecvenţa activitaţii fizice (p = 0,009), performanţa profesionala (p = 0,002) şi consumul de alcool (p = 0,002). Respondenţii de gen masculin au fost mai predispuşi la creşterea în greutate în timpul izolarii. Pentru o creştere cu o unitate a frecvenţei activitaţilor sportive, ne aşteptam la o cota de 0,25 (p = 0,048) pentru pierderea în greutate a respondenţilor. Mai mult, daca performanţa profesionala creşte cu o unitate, se aşteapta o scadere a greutaţii cu o rata de 0,52 (p = 0,02). Concluzie: În concluzie, adulţii tineri mai puţin angajaţi în activitate fizica, care şi-au evaluat performanţa profesionala ca fiind mai scazuta în aceasta perioada şi care au consumat alcool mai des în timpul izolarii la domiciliu, au fost cei mai susceptibili la creşterea în greutate.Alternate abstract:Introduction: Home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the physical activity level and exacerbated other unhealthy behaviours such as vices and eating disorders. This study analyses the risk factors predisposing to weight gain in young adults during COVID-19 home confinement. Material and method: Four hundred thirty-three students, aged between 19 and 25, participated in an online survey to understand the factors associated with weight gain. The following lifestyle dimensions were investigated in a regression model: physical activity, personal experiences, occupation, risk of vices. Results: We have found significant associations between weight gain (as a dependent variable), and frequency of physical activity (p = 0.009), occupational performance (p = 0.002), and alcohol consumption (p = 0.002). Male respondents are more likely to have gained weight during isolation. For an increase of one unit in the frequency of playing sports, we expect an odd of 0.25 (p = 0.048) for the respondents' weight loss. Moreover, if the occupational performance increases by one unit, a weight decrease by a rate of 0.52 (p =0.02) is expected. Conclusion: In conclusion, young adults less engaged in physical activity, who assessed their occupational performance as lower, and who consumed alcohol more often during home confinement are the most likely to have gained weight.