Texting while walking poses safety risk, study finds

Originally published on January 23, 2014

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A recent study finds that texting on mobile phones while walking not only changes the posture but also affects the balance of the person, which can cause injuries.

The study conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland shows that most people adopt a forward-and-down head position while they text. Such a posture can add up to 14 kg of extra weight to the upper vertebrae, which can pull the spine out of alignment.

The study also finds when people walk and use their phones they tend to slow down and swerve, even if they think they are walking in a straight line. They tend to walk "like a robot," with their arms, torso and head all fixed together.

More than one third of the 26 participants in the study reported having some sort of accident while walking and texting or reading.

The study was published in the journal PLOS One.

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