Ergonomic tips for using tablets and iPads

The most common ways of holding and using tablets put great strain on a user's neck muscles – especially compared to typical desktop computer configurations – and strain the muscles of the hand, arm, and shoulder.
The effects of tablet use on the musculoskeletal system can be limited by using accessories that relieve muscular strain, for example handholders, tablet stands (desk stands and floor stands) and accessories that ensure tablets are properly positioned for individual use.

Ergonomic Solutions White Paper: The ergonomics of tablet use in business applications (PDF).

Which ergonomic problems do we encounter in practice with tablet use?

1. Holding the tablet during use
   Although a tablet does not weigh much (approximately 600 grams) compared to a laptop, the strain on some muscles can still be (too) high. When typing, the tablet is often held with one hand in a kind of pincer grip, while the other hand touches the screen. Because you hold the tablet at an angle, there is a high strain on the hand. This strain is increased by the pressure on the tablet when touching the screen with the fingers of the other hand. To withstand these forces, you have to squeeze relatively hard when using it with one hand. Prolonged use can lead to fatigue and overuse injuries (RSI) in the thumb, hand, shoulder, and neck. To prevent this, it is better to support the tablet with your forearm.
   
   
2. Excessive head flexion
   This forward bending of your head leads to high strain and tension in the neck muscles. When you use a laptop on your lap, you can tilt the screen independently of the keyboard. This is not possible with a tablet. As a result, you have to adopt a certain viewing angle, which also affects the operating angle of the keyboard and vice versa. The lower the position of the screen, for example on your lap, the greater the risk of neck and shoulder complaints for users. You cannot, as with a laptop, tilt the screen relative to the keyboard.