Peter Johnson, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
E-mail: petej@u...


TITLE:

"Biomechanics of Computer Input Devices"


ABSTRACT:

This talk will present preliminary findings from a study where specially
designed software is used to continually monitor the digital signals from
the mouse and keyboard.  To achieve study objectives, the specific aims of
this project are to: 1) determine whether keystroke duration systematically
changes as the durational exposure to keyboard work increases and whether
the temporal changes in keystroke durations parallel objective measures from
the muscle, 2) determine whether mouse button-click duration systematically
changes as the durational exposure to mouse work increases and whether the
temporal changes in mouse button-click durations parallel objective measures
from the muscle. If systematic, fatigue-related changes can be detected in
the digital signals from the mouse and keyboard, the operator's own computer
could monitor and proactively notify the user that they may benefit from a
change in activities, mitigating potentially adverse changes in the muscle
and thereby potentially reducing the operator's subsequent chances for
developing a computer-related musculoskeletal disorder.