Owing to the space limit the standing VDT workstation was necessary and can not be replaced by sitting VDT workstation in practice at some workplaces such as the semiconductor fabrication cleaning room. The objective of this study was to evaluate the preferred settings for standing VDT workstation and the associated postural settings and muscular loads. The explored factors included types of computer (12.1- and 14-inch laptops and desktop PC with 15-inch monitor) and initial settings (i.e. from highest/lowest position before adjustment) for the adjustable VDT workstation desk height. Electromyogram and dynamic single/two-axis goniometer were utilized to evaluate the associated muscular loads and postural settings for the upper extremity. Forty female subjects participated in the experiments. Results of the repeated measures ANOVAs showed that initial settings significantly affected the preferred desk height settings. However, no significant differences for the preferred desk height among the three experiment computers were found. The preferred desk height in average was quite close to the average standing elbow height of the subjects which indicated that subjects did not elevate the keyboard higher than their elbow height to ease the large neck flexion and gaze angle for the two laptops. Besides, significantly large neck flexion angle, gaze angle, and muscular loads were reported for the 12 inch laptop compared with the other two types of computers. The desktop PC with 15 inch monitor was found with the smallest neck flexion and gaze angles and the muscular loads.
