An Investigation in Muscle Activity of Student’s Neck and Back in Various University Rooms

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of three different sitting positions on neck and back of students in two various class layouts under class activities. One of the classrooms is traditional in which students sit parallel to the screen and the other one which is more recent one, seats are perpendicular to the screen. Sitting positions include seats in various part of classroom. In this approach, the activity of back muscle, Trapezius Pars descendens (TRP-UP), and neck muscle, Sternocleidomastoid (SCM), are explored. Results show that class layout has a significant effect on both SCM and TRP. Yet, students sitting positions has significant effect only on SCM. Moreover, based on questionnaires’ output, students feel more comfortable in both their neck and back, when they sit in the middle of traditional classes.