title: Wrist postures in the general population of computer users during a computer task.
abstract: Computer activities have commonly been linked to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the upper limbs. However, to understand the effects computer use has on such disorders, it is necessary to identify and classify the movements involved in performing common computer tasks, one of these being typing. Motion analysis techniques were adopted to determine the movements involved during a typing task. This involved markers being placed on the knuckles, wrists and forearms of participants. This marker configuration allowed for the flexion, extension, radial deviation, ulnar deviation and a combination of these movements to be calculated. The results in one plane of motion show a mean extension|flexion and radial|ulnar deviation of 18.825° ± 10.013° and 5.228° ± 11.703° respectively. The most common position in two planes of motion was 20° extension with a simultaneous 20° ulnar deviation (10.72%). The results depict an alternative method of categorizing wrist positions in two planes during computer use. Coincident wrist postures should be addressed as opposed to motion in a single plane as these postures may result in different ergonomic risk factors developing.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Applied Biomedical Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical, Aeronautical and Biomedical Engineering & Materials and Surface Science Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. maurice.donoghue@ul.ie
authors.forename: Maurice F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Donoghue
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016288:Computer Terminals; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014953:Wrist / Q000502:physiology*