Observed Differences in Upper Extremity Forces, Muscle Efforts, Postures, Velocities and Accelerations Across Computer Activities in a Field Study of Office Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Blatter BM ; Bruno Garza JL ; Dennerlein, Jack T. ; Eijckelhof BH ; Huysmans MA ; Johnson PW ; Raina SM ; Rynell PW ; van der Beek AJ ; van Dieën JH
• Description:
  This study, a part of the PRedicting Occupational biomechanics in OFfice workers (PROOF) study, investigated whether there are differences in field-measured forces, muscle efforts, postures, velocities and accelerations across computer activities. These parameters were measured continuously for 120 office workers performing their own work for two hours each. There were differences in nearly all forces, muscle efforts, postures, velocities and accelerations across keyboard, mouse and idle activities. Keyboard activities showed a 50% increase in the median right trapezius muscle effort when compared to mouse activities. Median shoulder rotation changed from 25 degrees internal rotation during keyboard use to 15 degrees external rotation during mouse use. Only keyboard use was associated with median ulnar deviations greater than 5 degrees. Idle activities led to the greatest variability observed in all muscle efforts and postures measured. In future studies, measurements of computer activities could be used to provide information on the physical exposures experienced during computer use. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Computers Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Office Ergonomics Biomechanics Human-computer Interaction Keyboards Office Workers Posture Task Analysis Upper Extremities
• ISSN:
  0014-0139
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  55
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056472
• Citation:
  Ergonomics 2012 Jun; 55(6):670-681
• Contact Point Address:
  J.T. Dennerlein, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
• Email:
  jax@hsph.harvard.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance ; Services
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University, School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20080901
• Source Full Name:
  Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20130831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:805ffbd647cd2579101badd07a3ee3d97afcf3f7cafd2bbdeadb00e666ed5bc0853acebd01857b7a40abc33a75210884cbdbee3515c7203f726dea5fa523382a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214076/cdc_214076_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1019.67 KB ]