Today’s college students are at risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) because they spend much of their day in static sitting positions, either in classes or while working on the computer. The current study investigated various risk factors for developing musculoskeletal (MS) discomfort in five body areas (neck, shoulder, upper arm and elbow, forearm, and wrist/hand/fingers) associated with technology use (computers and cell phones) among college undergraduate students.

A total of 130 female and male participants completed anthropometric assessments and took a series of online surveys assessing musculoskeletal symptoms, and computer and cell phone usage habits. Results indicated that poor computing habits were associated with increased reporting of discomfort. Duration of computer use (but not cell phone use) was also positively related to MS discomfort reporting. In addition, the number of risk factors related to technology use was positively related to MS discomfort.