Many times we have talked to you about the importance of correct ergonomics when using the PC, since it is the best way to avoid incorrect postures that later lead to pain and health problems; In this regard, the monitor is one of the most important components since, depending on its position, the ergonomics can be severely modified. In this article we are going to talk about the ergonomics of the monitor , and how it affects the possibility of modifying its height , rotation , rotation and inclination.
Not all monitors on the market (in fact, only a handful of them) have options to completely modify their ergonomics; As a general rule, “cheap” monitors only allow you to modify the tilt of the screen, while more advanced models have a base that allows total ergonomics by allowing us to also modify its height, rotation and rotation. We are going to see all these parameters and what each one of them influences.
Monitor ergonomics explained
As we have mentioned before, there are four monitor ergonomics parameters that we can find in the most advanced models, so we are going to see each of them individually and explain what each one influences. In this regard, even monitors that do not have a base capable of making these modifications in their ergonomics usually have a VESA anchor that will allow us to install them on an articulated arm or support that will provide them with this extra ergonomics.
Screen tilt
The tilt of the screen refers to the ability to move at an angle from the vertical to the horizontal (the table, generally), that is, when we modify the tilt of the screen we can make it be placed at an angle or another. Generally, the ergonomics of the monitor will allow to modify up to 15º with respect to the horizontal upwards and 5º downwards nothing more.
Being able to modify the inclination is something that almost all monitors incorporate, and that is extremely useful to be able to make the screen completely straight with respect to us, so that we do not see the image distorted by looking at it at an angle. If you have the monitor positioned exactly at the same height as your face, it would not be necessary to modify the inclination, but this is often not possible, so being able to modify it is essential.
Modify the height of the monitor, essential for good ergonomics
In order to have a comfortable posture in the chair and that it does not cause us pain and discomfort when we spend a lot of time using the PC, having the monitor screen placed at a suitable height is essential. Unfortunately, only a handful of monitors have a height adjustment built into their base, and this is usually at most between 10 and 14 centimeters (more than enough in most cases), so many times we will be forced to use stands or stands to raise the height of the monitor.
The height adjustment of the monitor implies, therefore, the ability to raise the screen with respect to the base in such a way that we can, forgive the redundancy, adjust the height to which the display area of the screen is. This ability is extremely important to be able to adapt the position of the screen with respect to that of our head, so that we can sit in the chair in a more comfortable position (you can see it, a bit exaggerated, in the image above) .
Spin is not equal to spin
The other two parameters of monitor ergonomics are swivel and rotation, and we have grouped them in the same section both because they are often confused and because they are not as important as the height or tilt adjustment when it comes to setting. have good ergonomics.
The swivel capability allows the screen to be pulled relative to the base position to the left and right; It is something that can come in handy in situations where you want, for example, to show your screen to another person without having to move the entire base for it, or for when your space on the table is limited and the base of the monitor too much large, in order to be able to place the screen in a more comfortable position (especially in situations with several monitors).
For its part, the ability to rotate or pivot is generally associated with the ability to modify the height. Why? Because it refers to the ability to rotate the screen on the vertical axis to be able to put it, precisely, vertically as you can see in the example on the left of the image above. It is associated with the height because if it is not possible to raise the position of the screen, when executing the rotation of the screen, it would collide with the table.
It is not that these two parameters affect too much the ergonomics of the monitor user, but in general, if a monitor has them, they never hurt to be able to place it exactly in the position you want, almost as if the screen were mounted on a articulated arm.
Why is this so important? What is the correct position?
In the image that we have put above you can see the posture that, according to the experts, we should maintain when we are sitting in front of a monitor to avoid pain and muscle and joint problems. In theory, the monitor should be placed below the horizontal optical axis (that is, the top of the monitor should be in line with the eyes) and with a separation from the user such that if the user were to stretch their arm, they would not touch it but almost .
Obviously to achieve this we should be able to have a chair with height adjustment, something quite frequent, but we should also be able to adjust both the height and the inclination of the monitor, since as you can see in the image the thing is not only that the part The top of the monitor is at eye level, but we must also modify its inclination so that the screen is straight towards our eyes.
Monitors that have these four ergonomic parameters will allow us to perfectly adjust their position to use them in a comfortable way, but those that only allow adjusting the inclination (which are the majority) will force us to vary the position or use some type of base to raise them. and that they are in the line of sight as shown in the image.
Personally, as users who spend hours and hours in front of a screen, we can confirm that having correct ergonomics on the monitor is something that in the long run is very noticeable, since if you have a correct posture you can be in front of the screen 8 hours a day perfectly without suffering fatigue or pain, but if not, you end up with problems and pain, especially in the neck.
