Hamid Salmani Nodooshan; Hadi Daneshmandi; Alireza Choobineh; Farzaneh Yazdani; Mohsen Razeghi; Taymaz Shahnazar Nezhad Khales
Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremities are common among computer users. This study aimed to assess the effect of mouse pad angle on the forearm muscles activity and upper limb discomfort.Methods: This is an experimental research design. The mouse pad was set at 0, 10, 20, and ...
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Background: Musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremities are common among computer users. This study aimed to assess the effect of mouse pad angle on the forearm muscles activity and upper limb discomfort.Methods: This is an experimental research design. The mouse pad was set at 0, 10, 20, and 30 degrees of forearm supination. Ten subjects performed an identical text editing task with mouse in each pad position. Electrical activity of the selected forearm muscles was recorded with surface electrodes. 10-point rating scales were used for assessing perceived discomfort.Results: Extensor Carpi Radialis had the lowest mean of Electromyography (EMG) values in the 0° slanted pad (5.94), and the highest values were associated with Pronator Quadratus in 0-degree slanted pad (22.29). The highest and the lowest mean (SD) of the users’ upper limb discomfort were 3.70 (1.63) and 1.90 (1.28) in 30° and 10° slanted pads, respectively.Conclusion: Using slanted mouse pads could be a helpful and practical tool for office workers to keep more neutral wrist/hand positions.
Toktam Balandeh; Mohsen razeghi; Zahra Zamanian
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 89-94
Abstract
Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, ...
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Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, race, ethnicity and age, taking into account ergonomic and anthropometric principles. The aim of this study was to determine anthropometric characteristics of microscope users and provide a regression model for anthropometric dimensions. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric dimensions (18 dimensions) of the microscope users (N=174; 78 males and 96 females) in Shiraz were measured. Instruments included a Studio meter, 2 type calipers, adjustable seats, a 40-cm ruler, a tape measure, and scales. The study data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20. Results: The means of male and female microscope users’ age were 31.64±8.86 and 35±10.9 years, respectively and their height were 161.03±6.87cm and 174.81±5.45cm, respectively. The results showed that sitting and standing eye height and sitting horizontal range of accessibility had a significant correlation with stature. Conclusion: The established anthropometric database can be used as a source for designing workstations for working with microscopes in this group of users. The regression analysis showed that three dimensions, i.e. standing eye height, sitting eye height, and horizontal range of accessibility sitting had a significant correlation with stature. Therefore, given one’s stature, these dimensions can be obtained with less measurement.