Biomechanics and performance when using a standard and a vertical computer mouse

• Published in: Ergonomics Vol. 56; no. 8; pp. 1336 - 1344
• Main Authors: Quemelo, Paulo R.V., Vieira, Edgar Ramos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Group 01.08.2013; Washington, DC Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Activation; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics; Computer mouse; Computer Peripherals; Consumer Behavior; controls and input devices; Electrogoniometers; Electromyography; Equipment Design; Ergonomics; Ergonomics. Workplace layout; Ergonomics. Workplace layout. Occupational psychology; Female; Fitts' Law; Forearm; Forearm - physiology; Human performance; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Mouse devices; Muscle contraction; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscles; Muscular system; Occupational medicine; office ergonomics; Pronation - physiology; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Task Performance and Analysis; Training; upper limb disorders; User satisfaction; Wrist; Young Adult; Biomechanics; Office; office ergonomics; Ergonomics; Computer; upper limb disorders; Upper limb; Mouse (computer peripheral); Performance; controls and input devices
• ISSN: 0014-0139; 1366-5847; 1366-5847
• DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2013.805251

Objective: to compare the biomechanics and performance while using a vertical computer mouse (VM) and a standard mouse (SM). Methods: muscle activation (electromyography), forearm movements (electrogoniometers), performance (Fitts' Law test) and satisfaction (questionnaire) of 16 subjects were evaluated. Results: there were significant differences between the VM and the SM, respectively, on motion (28° vs. 42° pronation, p = 0.001; 5° ulnar vs. 7° radial deviation, p = 0.016) and muscle activity (13% vs. 16% of extensor carpi activity, p = 0.006; 10% vs. 13% extensor digitorum activity, p = 0.001). VM user satisfaction was good (68); however, time to target was longer (4.2 vs. 3.4 s, p <  0.001). Conclusions: using the VM decreased wrist pronation and lowered wrist extensor muscle activity, but additional training and familiarisation time may be required to improve user performance. Practitioner Summary: Using a vertical mouse can decrease the exposure to biomechanical risk factors for computer mouse use-related musculoskeletal disorders. Using a vertical computer mouse resulted in less wrist pronation and lower wrist extensor muscle activity. But, training and familiarisation are required.