Tablet form factors and swipe gesture designs affect thumb biomechanics and performance during two-handed use

Applied Ergonomics
Sarah M CoppolaJack T Dennerlein

Abstract

Tablet computers' hardware and software designs may affect upper extremity muscle activity and postures. This study investigated the hypothesis that forearm muscle activity as well as wrist and thumb postures differ during simple gestures across different tablet form factors and touchscreen locations. Sixteen adult (8 female, 8 male) participants completed 320 tablet gestures across four swipe locations, with various tablet sizes (8″ and 10"), tablet orientations (portrait and landscape), swipe orientations (vertical and horizontal), and swipe directions (medial and radial). Three-dimensional motion analysis and surface electromyography measured wrist and thumb postures and forearm muscle activity, respectively. Postures and muscle activity varied significantly across the four swipe locations (p < .0001). Overall, swipe location closest to the palm allowed users to swipe with a more neutral thumb and wrist posture and required less forearm muscle activity. Greater thumb extension and abduction along with greater wrist extension and ulnar deviation was required to reach the target as the target moved farther from the palm. Extensor Carpi Radialis, Extensor Carpi Ulnaris, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris, Extensor Policis Brevis, and Abducto...Continue Reading

References

Jan 17, 2012·Work : a Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation·Justin G YoungJack T Dennerlein
Aug 4, 2012·Journal of Biomechanics·Matthieu B TrudeauJack T Dennerlein
Mar 28, 2013·Work : a Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation·Justin G YoungJack T Dennerlein

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Citations

Dec 4, 2019·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·Deanna S AsakawaJennifer L Hein

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