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http://dx.doi.org/10.5143/JESK.2006.25.2.001

Proposal of a Movable Armrest for Preventing the Musculoskeletal Disorders  

Park, Gyeong-Su (한국과학기술원)
Kim, Sang-Su (한국과학기술원)
Jo, Il-Haeng (한국과학기술원)
Hong, Gi-Beom (카이스트)
Publication Information
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea / v.25, no.2, 2006 , pp. 1-10 More about this Journal
Abstract
In spite of the rapid increase of computer use in our everyday life, not much effort is undertaken to take measures to prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders(MSDs). In this paper, we suggest a movable armrest which would lower the exposure to the MSDs, especially on the vicinity of arm. The aim of this study is to determine whether there are differences in wrist angle variations, forearm muscular loads, comfort and normal performance between the invented movable armrest and a conventional armrest when using a computer mouse. Eight experienced VDU workers performed a standardized simple task set which consists of 15 detailed tasks with each armrest. The wrist angle variations in the right arm were registered by electrogoniometer and the muscle activities in the shoulder, deltoid and two extensors in the forearm were also registered by electromyograph. The subjects rated perceived comfort while performing the tasks with each armrest. Working with the invented armrest, compared to general, gave significantly decreased wrist angle variations at most of the detailed tasks of both biaxial movements. Moreover, as the distance of targets increased, the difference of muscle activities in two different situations trend to be increasing. At the same time, in work with invented armrest, the subjects rated more comfort and they showed decreased normal performances in 8 detailed tasks which were mainly caused by macro moving time.
Keywords
Armrest; Musculoskeletal disorders; EMG; Electrogoniometer;
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