Software ergonomics Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • The use of computers in the workplace is now commonplace. Correspondingly, injuries associated with computer use have increased. However, little research has been done investigating whether these injuries are associated with the software being used. One reason is the difficulty in measuring muscle strain (a predictor of muscle related injuries). Here we present preliminary results of study on the relationship between objective and subjective measures of muscle strain during computer use. As users completed sets of tasks using MSWord, SEMG muscle activity was recorded for the muscles associated with using a keyboard and mouse. After each task set, users completed surveys asking the level of strain they experienced during the tasks. Correlations between the measures suggest that subjective measures can provide reliable information regarding the muscle strain associated with software use. These easily obtained subjective measurements could assist in producing software interaction designs that are better for users.

name of conference

  • CHI '09 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems

published proceedings

  • CHI '09 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems

author list (cited authors)

  • Peres, S. C., Nguyen, V., Kortum, P. T., Akladios, M., Wood, S. B., & Muddimer, A.

citation count

  • 4

complete list of authors

  • Peres, S Camille||Nguyen, Vickie||Kortum, Philip T||Akladios, Magdy||Wood, S Bart||Muddimer, Andrew

publication date

  • January 2009