Upper extremity biomechanics in computer tasks differ by gender.
Abstract
This laboratory study examined gender differences in upper extremity postures, applied forces, and muscle activity when a computer workstation was adjusted to individual anthropometry according to current guidelines. Fifteen men and 15 women completed five standardized computer tasks: touch-typing, completing a form, editing text, sorting and resizing graphical objects and navigating intranet pages. Subjects worked at a height-adjustable workstation with the keyboard on top of the work surface and the mouse to the right. Subjects repeated the text editing task with the mouse in two other locations: a "high" mouse position, which simulated using a keyboard drawer with the mouse on the primary work surface, and "center" mouse position with the mouse between the keyboard and the body, centered with the body's center line. Surface electromyography measured muscle activity; electrogoniometric and magnetic motion analysis system measured wrist, forearm and upper arm postures; load-cells measured typing forces; and a force-sensing mouse measured applied forces. Relative forces applied to the keyboard, normalized muscle activity of two forearm muscles, range of motion for the wrist and shoulder joints and external rotation of the shoul...Continue Reading
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