title: Electromyographic analysis of relevant muscle groups during completion of computer tasks using different computer mouse positions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We analyzed muscular activity for different computer mouse positions during the completion of a timed computer task and determined whether the different mouse positions could affect muscular activity, productivity and perceived fatigue.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were nine healthy young men. Two mouse positions were studied: the distal position (DP), with the forearm rested on the desk; the proximal position (PP), with only the wrist rested on the desk. The subjects performed a 16-min task in each position. Surface electromyography data were recorded for the upper back and shoulder muscles. Work productivity and muscular activity were measured for each mouse position. A visual analog scale was used to assess subjective fatigue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Muscular activity was higher in muscle (m.) deltoideus (posterior) for the DP, while it was significantly higher in m. inferior infraspinatus for the PP. The visual analog scale score was significantly higher and work productivity was lower in the PP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that using a mouse in the DP rather than the PP leads to less activity of the external rotators, less perceived fatigue and more productivity. This suggests that the DP is preferable to the PP for computer work involving a mouse.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , Nagoya Isen Vocational College , Japan.
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sako
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , Nagoya Isen Vocational College , Japan.
authors.forename: Hiromichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.affiliation: b Department of Occupational Health , Gifu University , Japan.|c Department of Rehabilitation , Aichi Kouseiren Asuke Hospital , Japan.
authors.forename: Hironori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanoue
authors.affiliation: d Department of Rehabilitation , Gifu Junior College of Health Science , Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.affiliation: e Department of Occupational Therapy , Kinjo University , Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsunobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.affiliation: b Department of Occupational Health , Gifu University , Japan.
authors.forename: Ryoichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Inaba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064131:Back Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: computer operation; mouse position; muscular activity; perceived fatigue; repetitive stress injury