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Surface electromyography and mouse use position

R Harvey1, E Peper

  • 1Institute for Holistic Healing Studies, San Francisco State University, California 94132, USA.

Ergonomics
|August 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Using a mouse to the right of a keyboard increases muscle tension in the upper back and shoulder. Subjective reports of tension did not match objective measurements, highlighting a need for better ergonomic design and muscle awareness training.

Area of Science:

  • Ergonomics
  • Occupational Health
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Computer use is prevalent, leading to concerns about upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSD).
  • The placement of input devices like mice and keyboards can influence posture and muscle activity.
  • Understanding muscle tension during computer use is crucial for designing healthier workstations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare muscle tension and subjective awareness between using a centrally placed trackball and a right-sided mouse.
  • To investigate the impact of arm abduction on muscle activity during computer mouse use.
  • To evaluate the utility of surface electromyography (sEMG) in assessing computer-related strain.

Main Methods:

  • Seventeen experienced computer users participated in the study.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Surface electromyography (sEMG) measured muscle activity in four key upper body muscle groups.
  • Subjects performed tasks using a centrally positioned trackball and a mouse placed to the right of a standard keyboard.
  • Subjective muscle tension levels were also recorded.

    • Main Results:

    • Significantly higher sEMG activity was observed in the right upper trapezius, posterior deltoid, and lower trapezius/rhomboids when using the right-sided mouse compared to the trackball (p < 0.001).
    • Elevated muscle activity during mouse use persisted without microbreaks.
    • No significant changes in left sternocleidomastoid/scalene muscle activity were found.
    • Subjective muscle tension reports did not correlate with sEMG findings.

    Conclusions:

    • Positioning a computer mouse to the right of a standard keyboard, requiring arm abduction, leads to increased muscle tension in specific upper body muscles.
    • The lack of correlation between subjective and objective measures suggests limitations in users' awareness of muscle strain.
    • Findings support the need for ergonomic interventions to reduce UEMSD and computer-related disorders, emphasizing device placement and user training for healthier computing practices.