Wearable computers and the possible development of musculoskeletal disorders

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) have been shown to be caused by (amongst other things) exposure to work tasks which involve constrained pathomechanical body postures and physical load. Current research suggests that the added weight of a wearable computer and the positions which interacting with it requires, induces acute musculoskeletal stress and may lead to chronic musculoskeletal disorders. These disorders may only reveal themselves after a long period of time. Therefore it is important at this stage in wearable computer development to address these issues in the hope of diminishing their occurrence.