Computer time ups aches and pains

Recently a small study confirmed for college kids what I think many of us already knew: too much time spent on the computer means aches, pains, and sore muscles. The study looked at 27 college students and found that the more time they spent working on the computer, the more complaints they had of aches and pains over the next 24 hours. Spending three or more hours a day on the computer increased musculoskeletal symptoms by 50%, with the most common complaint area being the neck, followed by the lower back, upper back, and shoulders.

Posture is obviously important, as is taking frequent breaks to sit back and stretch. Since computers aren't going anywhere anytime soon, researchers will now be setting up larger studies to hopefully gain some ideas on how to help students stay healthy while studying and working (and the rest of us too!).