Santos PC1,2,3, Rodrigues A1, Eiriz D1, Mota J2, Mesquita C1,3, Lopes S1
1Health School of Polytechnic of Porto, Department of Physiotherapy, Porto, Portugal, 2Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Porto, Portugal, 3Health School of Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Center for Rehabilitation Research, Porto, Portugal
Background: Teenagers' use of the smartphone has become so excessive that, in addition to the negative impact that they may have on mental, behavioral and social health, it can have potential effects on physical health causing musculoskeletal symptoms and decreased practice of physical activity due to the adoption of a static posture for an extended time.
Purpose: It is intended to relate the time of use of smartphones in teenagers with musculoskeletal symptoms, as well as with the frequency and intensity of physical activity practice.
Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study with a sample consisted by 834 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old. The time of use of smartphones was evaluated by a Self-Reported Questionnaire, the symptoms were evaluated by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the physical activity by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The obtained data were analyzed through statistical tests with a significance level of 0,05 and a confidence interval of 95%.
Results: There was a relationship between the use of smartphones and musculoskeletal symptoms in the cervical, upper limbs and trunk (p=0,001), as well as between the time spent with smartphones and a sedentary behavior (p=0,001). It was also observed that a greater symptomatology is associated with a longer time in sedentary activities (p=0,001).
Conclusion(s): We have verified that prolonged use of the smartphone is related to an increase of the musculoskeletal symptoms related to the handling of this equipment, namely the cervical, upper limbs and trunk, as well as the reduction of physical activity and sedentary behavior.
Implications: This study allows physiotherapists working in health promotion to plan actions that lead to behavior change.
Keywords: Technology, Posture, Sedentary Behavior
Funding acknowledgements: Not funded
Purpose: It is intended to relate the time of use of smartphones in teenagers with musculoskeletal symptoms, as well as with the frequency and intensity of physical activity practice.
Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study with a sample consisted by 834 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old. The time of use of smartphones was evaluated by a Self-Reported Questionnaire, the symptoms were evaluated by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the physical activity by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The obtained data were analyzed through statistical tests with a significance level of 0,05 and a confidence interval of 95%.
Results: There was a relationship between the use of smartphones and musculoskeletal symptoms in the cervical, upper limbs and trunk (p=0,001), as well as between the time spent with smartphones and a sedentary behavior (p=0,001). It was also observed that a greater symptomatology is associated with a longer time in sedentary activities (p=0,001).
Conclusion(s): We have verified that prolonged use of the smartphone is related to an increase of the musculoskeletal symptoms related to the handling of this equipment, namely the cervical, upper limbs and trunk, as well as the reduction of physical activity and sedentary behavior.
Implications: This study allows physiotherapists working in health promotion to plan actions that lead to behavior change.
Keywords: Technology, Posture, Sedentary Behavior
Funding acknowledgements: Not funded
Topic: Primary health care; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing; Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Polytechnic of Porto
Ethics committee: The Research Ethics Committee of Health School
Ethics number: Protocol n.(1349(0523)/2016).
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
