Making the Case for Ergonomics and Where it Stands in Mobile Technology

Jack T Dennerlein, PhD Professor: Ergonomics and Safety

j.dennerlein@neu.edu

Mobile computer technology has become ubiquitous and often serves as a workers primary computing device
Notebooks Mobile Phones Smart Phones E-book readers Tablet Computers

1990

2000

2010

2015
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Injury models for computing technology demonstrate relationships between factors and outcomes
Work Organization Psychological Strain

Mobile Computing Technology

Physical Load

Posture & Muscle Activity

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Adopted from Wahlstrom Occup Med (Lond). 2005;55(3):168-176.

Field studies tell us two things

Time spent using device associated with thumb, shoulder, and neck pain People use the devices in lots of nondesk environments that lead to a lot of non-neutral postures

Berolo Appl Ergon. 2011;42(2):371-378 Gold Appl Ergon. 2012;43(2):408-412 Gustafsson. Ergonomics. 2011;54(5):477-487

Single handed and two-handed use both utilizing the thumb accounted for approximately 95% of all observations

44%

46%

2%
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Im all thumbs!
Gold Appl Ergon. 2012;43(2):408-412

For single handed use smaller is better for thumb posture and performance

"outward" D to U (B) 17 16 SE to NW (B,C) 15 14 13 12 11 R to L (B) 10

"inward"

SW to NE (B)

L to R (D)

NE to SW (A)

NW to SE (D)

U to D (C)

Trudeau Hum Factors. Feb 2012;54(1):52-59. Otten. Hum Factors. Feb 2013;55(1):48-60

Thumbs and tablets and a lot of reach

Smaller (e-reader size) is better for reaching with thumbs as well as holding the devices. Cases and split keyboards can help.
Trudeau PLoS One. 2013;8(6):e67525 Pereira Ergonomics. 2013;56(9):1363-1375.
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Wrists and tablets

Extended during typing Deviated while holding

Young Work. 2013;45(1):59-71

Head and neck postures are often flexed with mobile technology.

Young Work. 2012;41(1):81-91. Gold Appl Ergon. Mar 2012;43(2):408-412.

Take advantage of their mobility dont get stuck in any posture for too long and accessorize!

Cases let us go hands free and improve viewing angles

Thinner external keyboards get the hands out of the way and promote straighter wrists 10

The state of ergonomics for mobile technology is a work in progress

Work Organization Psychological Strain

Mobile Computing Technology

Physical Load

Posture & Muscle Activity

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Adopted from Wahlstrom Occup Med (Lond). 2005;55(3):168-176.

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THANK YOU
J.DENNERLEIN@NEU.EDU

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