Faculty Collaboration Database

Effect of computer keyboard slope and height on wrist extension angle. Hum Factors 2001;43(2):287-98

Date

10/11/2001

Pubmed ID

11592669

DOI

10.1518/001872001775900940

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0034789240 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   47 Citations

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the systematic effect that varying the slope angle of a computer keyboard along with varying keyboard height (relative to elbow height) have on wrist extension angle while typing. Thirty participants typed on a keyboard whose slope was adjusted to +15 degrees, +7.5 degrees, 0 degrees, -7.5 degrees, and -15 degrees. The height of the keyboard was set up such that participants' wrists were at the same height as their elbows, above their elbows, and four cm below their elbows. Results showed that as keyboard slope angle moved downward from +15 degrees to -15 degrees, mean wrist extension decreased approximately 13 degrees (22 degrees at +15 degrees slope to 9 degrees at -15 degrees slope). Keyboard height had a similar effect with mean wrist extension decreasing from 21.8 degrees when the keyboard was lower than elbow height, to 7.3 degrees when the keyboard was higher than elbow height. Potential application of this research includes the downward sloping of computer keyboards, which could possibly be beneficial in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders affecting the wrist.

Author List

Simoneau GG, Marklin RW

Author

Guy Simoneau PhD Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Anthropometry
Biomechanical Phenomena
Computer Terminals
Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Elbow Joint
Equipment Design
Female
Humans
Posture
Prospective Studies
Range of Motion, Articular
Reference Values
Sensitivity and Specificity
User-Computer Interface
Wrist Joint