Spinal alignment in habitual standing position and while using smartphones in healthy young adults

Abstract

Introduction A cascade of biomechanical changes occurs with postural deviations. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the trunk position and spine shape during smartphone use. Methods Body posture was tested by the photogrammetric method in habitual standing position and while using smartphones in 39 healthy subjects of both sexes. Results While using smartphones, the trunk was shifted backwards ( F (1.37) = 166.19, p = 0.0000), and the angle of the cervical spine increased in both sexes ( p 0.05). Conclusions Using a smartphone caused backward displacement of the upper torso in both sexes. It was also found that using a smartphone increased the depth of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in females, which should be interpreted as a compensatory mechanism.

Keywords

• smartphone
• posture
• spine
• photogrammetry