The effect of the use of smartphone while walking on the electromyography activity of the lower extremity in young students

Abstract

The study aims to determine the effects of smartphone use on the muscle activity of the lower extremity when walking. Twenty-three healthy young students were asked to perform a 10-m walk test between normal walking without using a smartphone and walking while two-handed texting on a smartphone. The electromyography activities of the lower extremity were quantified. To quantitatively assess the cervical flexion range of smartphone users, the cervical flexion angle was measured using a digital goniometer. The study results indicated that the use of a smartphone while walking could lessen muscle activity on the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius than that of normal walking without using a smartphone. The walking speeds were reduced in walking while using a smartphone compared with normal walking without using a smartphone. The cervical flexion angle was greater when walking while using a smartphone compared to that of normal walking without using a smartphone. These results suggest that frequently using a smartphone while walking could be a potential risk for musculoskeletal problems.