University professors’ quality of life and posture during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to adaptations in educational settings, such as replacing in-person with online classes. Hence, teachers increased their screen time, posing a greater risk to their mental health, quality of life, and body posture. Objective: To assess and correlate the quality of life and body posture of higher education faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This exploratory research initially contacted participants via digital invitations during the pandemic. Volunteers answered an online questionnaire with data on eligibility criteria and were later assessed regarding their quality of life (SF-36) and postural biomechanics (SAPO software). The variables in question were correlated regarding sex and age ranges with Spearman's correlation, setting the significance level at 5%. Results: The sample had 21 professors of both sexes, aged 26 to 62 years (mean age of 38.47 years; SD = 8.530). The females’ mean age was 40.27 years (SD = 8.47) and that of males was 33.83 years (SD = 7.38). Males had a greater correlation between cervical spine issues and mental and physical domains, while females had body posture changes and a moderate correlation mainly with physical quality-of-life domains. Conclusion: There was a correlation between body posture and quality of life in higher education faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic.