Abstract
Objective: This
research examines individual differences in the wrist
postures adopted during the use of two pointing devices (mouse and
trackball).Design: A multiple case study of twelve participants
was employed.Background: The use of pointing devices may lead
to musculoskeletal discomfort and injury as a consequence
of prolonged exposure to postures involving wrist extension
and ulnar deviation.Methods: Wrist flexion/extension and
radial/ulnar deviation was measured while twelve participants
completed two standardised tasks involving horizontal and
vertical cursor movements respectively.Results: Exposure to
extreme ulnar deviation and wrist extension was observed in
the use of computer mouse and trackball. The trackball involved
decreased ulnar deviation and increased wrist extension, however
considerable individual differences were observed.Conclusions:
Some users may be placed at risk of injury by prolonged exposure
to the use of such devices, while others may not. A trackball may
reduce the exposure to extreme ulnar deviation, but in some cases,
a trackball may increase exposure to extreme wrist extension.
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