Effects of Large Display Curvature on Postural Control During Car Racing Computer Game Play

Abstract

Display technology has recently made enormous progress. In particular, display companies are competing each other to develop flexible display. Curved display, as a precursor of flexible display, are now used for smart phones and TVs. Curved monitors have been just introduced in the market, and are used for office work or entertainment. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the curvature of a 42” multi-monitor affects postural control when it is used for entertainment purpose. The current study used two curvature levels (flat and 600mm). Ten college students [mean(SD) age = 20.9 (1.5)] with at least 20/25 visual acuity, and without color blindness and musculoskeletal disorders participated in this study. In a typical VDT environment, each participant played a car racing video game using a steering wheel and pedals for 30 minutes at each curvature level. During the video game, a pressure mat on the seat pan measured the participant’s COP (Center of Pressure), and from which four measures (Mean Velocity, Median Power Frequency, Root-Mean-Square Distance, and 95% Confidence Ellipse Area) were derived. A larger AP (Anterior-Posterior) RMS distance was observed in the flat condition, indicating more forward-backward upper body movements. It can be partly due to more variability in visual distance across display, and hence longer ocular accommodation time in the case of the flat display. In addition, a different level of presence or attention between two curvature conditions can lead to such a difference. Any potential effect of such a behavioral change by display curvature on musculoskeletal disorders should be further investigated.