Technology influences our lives, and in the future we may evolve psycho‑physical traits conveyed by it.

According to research commissioned by Toll Free Forwarding, in a thousand years the human being will be hunchbacked, have hands like claws, a short and thick neck, three eyelids per eye and an even smaller brain. Homo sapiens will undergo a genuine transformation, shaped and driven by the use of technology in our lives.

Beyond the apocalyptic or science‑fictional scenarios suggested by the research, technology is undoubtedly one of the most impactful elements on our existence, at least for wealthier and more industrialised populations, having completely transformed not only the way we work, but also the way we acquire knowledge and build relationships with others. Today, all of this very often happens through the screen of an electronic device, such as a computer, smartphone or tablet, whose continuous use also affects our psycho‑physical condition. Posture and repetitive movements, for example, are just two of the factors influenced by technology that, in the distant future, could make humans different from what they are today. The advantageous adaptations for digital life that arise by chance, in fact, could become “fixed” in populations and thus be passed down from generation to generation.

It therefore becomes of fundamental importance to adopt appropriate behaviours in the performance of work activities in order to prevent the onset of health problems.

We discussed this with Dr. Manuel Marco Mazzini of Milano Chiropratica.

What we talk about in this article:

1. Technology has effects on posture and on human health: agile work, smart working and video conferences must be managed according to specific guidelines.
2. The interview with Dr. Manuel Marco Mazzini and the “technological” suggestions according to AGMultivision

1. Technology has effects on posture and on human health: agile work, smart working and video conferences must be managed according to specific guidelines.

The human of the future will have a completely different appearance. This is what emerges from research by Toll Free Forwarding, which suggests that in a thousand years the human being will be hunchbacked, have hands like claws, a short and thick neck, three eyelids per eye and an even smaller brain. Homo sapiens will undergo a genuine transformation, shaped and driven by the use of technology in our lives.

In an article for Health Matters, Dr. K. Daniel Riew of New York‑Presbyterian Och Spine Hospital explained exactly why: “When you work on a computer or look down at your phone, the muscles at the back of your neck have to contract in order to keep your head up. The more you look down, the harder these muscles have to work to keep your head up. These muscles can become overly tired and painful from looking at our smartphones and tablets or spending most of our working day at the computer.”

An apocalyptic or science‑fiction scenario? In reality, only a few precautions are needed to avoid the transformation of our bodies as we know them today.

Good prevention, based on postural hygiene, is essential for counteracting the negative effects that many hours spent daily in front of a screen by both children and adults can cause on the spine. If corrected early, many incorrect postural habits are reversible, whereas if they are not promptly addressed there is a risk that the spine will permanently adopt incorrect positions, which are much harder to correct.

This has been shown by a study carried out by researchers from the Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA) at the University of Pavia, designed to investigate the effects of self‑correction movement (used, for example, in the treatment of scoliosis) on spinal alignment and on the balance of young people. The researchers found that scoliotic curves actually decrease during the execution of self‑correction, but they observed that balance does not improve proportionally. In fact, in 40% of participants some balance parameters worsen. Thanks to the simultaneous acquisition of spinal data, the researchers were able to demonstrate objectively that this worsening does not affect the correction of the curves.

Ergonomics (that is, the science that studies the interaction between the elements of a system and the purpose for which these are designed and used) has made and is making significant strides in this particular operational sector. Italy also has its own package of standards and legal prescriptions for workers who “use equipment fitted with video display terminals”: in 2000 the legislature began to take an interest in this matter, approving the Interministerial Decree (Labour–Health) of 2 October 2000 (published in the Official Gazette No. 244 of 18 October 2000), which includes in its annex the “Guidelines for the use of video display terminals”. The prescriptions contained in the document – still valid today – are designed to prevent the onset of health problems related to poor posture and prolonged use of computers and other technological devices in the workplace.certifico+2

The data provided by Inail, for example, concerning accidents and occupational diseases for the entire year 2022 show that reports linked to work‑related illnesses continue to rise (+9.9% compared to 2021), and the largest share of these conditions still concerns the musculoskeletal system, i.e. musculoskeletal disorders. If we then consider the many organisational changes that the world of work has undergone in recent years, accelerated by problems connected to the pandemic emergencies, in the face of these figures it becomes important precisely to return to talking about the ergonomics of workstations with reference to activities in smart working or agile work and to telework activities.

2. The interview with Dr. Manuel Marco Mazzini and the “technological” suggestions according to AGMultivision

Posture is fundamental: it is not what we hold but what the brain makes us hold.

This is how our chat with Dr. Manuel Marco Mazzini of Milano Chiropratica begins, with whom we talk about posture, a topic that has come to the forefront because of the pandemic.scienzemotorie+1

When smartphones or tablets are used for long periods, it is important to regularly change the habitual flexed posture by using the arms to raise the screen until we can keep the head and cervical spine aligned. The same indications apply to the PC, of course, by properly adjusting the workstation.eizo+1

Posture is actually a neurological reflex: we assume the posture that our brain commands us to take, and with the pandemic, during which we spent many hours in front of the computer, the consequences soon became visible.channel.

“Sitting is the new smoking” – an English saying, explains Dr. Mazzini.

This means that sitting for long periods is dangerous in the same way smoking is, because it is harmful to the spine and to the whole organism.

Posture is an important aspect in work. In the world of digital collaboration, this concept refers to individual workstations – whether at home or at the office desk – and implies that the individual must interact with someone who is not physically present in the same location, through a camera.labofmove+2

It is therefore important to recreate the same situation as when we actually meet someone: video calls often bring us “close” on screen in a way we would not be in a face‑to‑face encounter, except in situations of conflict or displays of affection. This aspect, often underestimated, is instead fundamental, because the brain, in its unconscious activity, assumes that a “relationship” is developing.horkan+2

Preserving posture, therefore, and adopting correct behaviours is beneficial not only for our physical health but also for our mental health.

What are the “technological” behaviours to adopt?

Use tools that allow you to maintain a screen distance able to recreate a real‑life situation:

• seat position that allows you to adopt a correct posture and that favours the possibility of recreating a fluid situation during a meeting;
• a wide‑angle camera capable of recreating the real distance that should exist between interlocutors. The great advantage is the possibility of showing non‑verbal expressions that support the understanding of the message and of the side attitudes.

The use of these tools will make the meeting more effective and less stressful for the participants.

It therefore becomes essential to talk about the ergonomics of meeting‑room spaces, since it is functional to have devices that naturally include all possible interlocutors, avoiding the need to crowd behind the webcam of a PC.

Are you thinking of setting up your meeting room?

Here is an example, for a meeting room with a capacity of 10 participants, of what is needed according to AGMultivision:

• PTZ camera with autotracking;
• 2 ambient microphones (tabletop or ceiling‑mounted);
• Wireless content‑sharing system for participants’ devices;
• 86‑inch touch‑screen display that allows interaction, enables note‑taking and annotations, and provides the ability to share annotations with participants; or a projector with a screen of at least 130 inches coupled with a touch‑screen monitor of at least 55 inches that allows the presenter to navigate through the applications needed to conduct the meeting.

Posture is an important aspect in work, and it particularly emerges in video conferencing.

To correct non‑optimal behaviours, we propose a discount code for the purchase of selected products from the AGMultivision shop.

The Coupon code to enter in the cart at the time of purchase is CHIROCAM (you must press the “add” button to apply it, then you can proceed to checkout or to PayPal payment).

Discover the products on which the coupon can be applied in the shop section of the AGMultivision website.

The same discount code is also applicable to certain services offered by Milano Chiropratica.

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