Differences in physical load and productivity during text entering on mobile phones between young adults with and without musculoskeletal symptoms?

摘要

The increased use of small keyboards for text entering and other functions involving intensive keypad use on mobile phones has raised the question how to ergonomically evaluate the physical exposures associated with this use. In this report the physical exposure during text entering on mobile phone by 41 young adults with musculoskeletal symptoms from upper extremity were compared to 15 young adults without symptoms. The muscle activity in the left and right trapezius muscles was higher when entering the text while standing compared to sitting. The group with musculoskeletal symptoms had lower muscle activity in the abductor pollicis longus and higher velocity in the thumb movements during the text entering compared to those without symptoms. No differences in productivity between the two groups were seen. In conclusion there were differences in physical load but no difference in productivity between young adults with musculoskeletal symptoms in neck and/or upper extremities compared to those without symptoms during text entering on a mobile phone.