Usage Position and Virtual Keyboard Design Affect Upper-Body Kinematics, Discomfort, and Usability during Prolonged Tablet Typing

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 10; no. 12; p. e0143585
• Main Authors: Lin, Ming-I Brandon, Hong, Ruei-Hong, Chang, Jer-Hao, Ke, Xin-Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 02.12.2015; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biomechanics; Body kinematics; Computer Peripherals; Computers; Design; Design factors; Design standards; Discomfort; Elbow; Elbow (anatomy); Electrogoniometers; Equipment Design; Ergonomics; Extremities; Female; Form factors; Humans; Information management; Keyboards; Kinematics; Male; Muscle function; Neck; Pain; Portable computers; Position measurement; Postural Balance - physiology; Posture; Researchers; Studies; Tablets; Task Performance and Analysis; Touch screens; Typing; Upper Extremity - physiology; Usability; User satisfaction; User-Computer Interface; Work environment; Wrist; Young Adult; United States; Taiwan

The increase in tablet usage allows people to perform computer work in non-traditional office environments. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of changes in tablet keyboard design on postures of the upper extremities and neck, discomfort, and usability under different usage positions du...