Choose an Ergonomic Keyboard
Understanding the Ergonomics of Alternative Keyboards
The landscape of keyboard design has evolved significantly over the past few decades, driven by a growing awareness of the impact of keyboarding on users' health. The surge in innovation is a response to concerns about physical issues, ranging from fatigue to more serious overuse disorders. In this review, we delve into the various aspects of alternative keyboards, exploring their ergonomic features and the scientific foundation behind them.
Rising Concerns
The heightened interest in keyboard design is closely tied to the reported increase in job-related disorders associated with repeated trauma. While statistics may be influenced by various factors, the correlation between computer use and cumulative trauma disorders is evident. Office ergonomics, particularly related to keyboard use, has become a focal point for employers and users alike.
Ergonomic Risk Factors
To address the ergonomic challenges posed by conventional keyboards, designers of alternative keyboards focus on mitigating specific risk factors. These include:
Posture: Many alternative designs aim to promote "neutral postures" and avoid prolonged, non-neutral positions that stress tendons, nerves, or other tissues.
Repetition: Strategies to tackle repetitive tasks include incorporating pauses, slowing down, reducing keystrokes, or varying tasks to prevent overexertion.
Sustained Static Exertions: Providing postural support and opportunities for muscle relaxation helps combat the negative effects of sustained exertions.
Forceful Exertions: Reducing the force required for key activation is a key consideration in minimizing the risk associated with forceful exertions during keyboard use.
Localized Mechanical Stresses: Rounding or softening hard surfaces, especially those in contact with vulnerable areas like wrists and elbows, is recommended to minimize mechanical stresses.
Alternative Keyboard Types
Split Keyboards
Designed to reduce ulnar deviation, split keyboards alter the orientation of keys, aiming each half toward the user's elbows. Research suggests a positive impact on posture and muscle activity, although user preferences vary.
Tented Keyboards
Going a step further, tented keyboards not only address ulnar deviation but also correct pronation by allowing users to work with palms angled toward each other. Adjustability is a key feature, but the learning curve may be longer.
Negative-Slope Keyboards
These keyboards focus on minimizing wrist extension by incorporating extendable legs at the front, promoting a flat or backward slope. Research on this design is limited, but it aims to improve wrist posture.
Supportive Keyboards
Keyboards with built-in wrist or palm rests aim to encourage straight wrist postures and reduce pressure on nerves and tendons. While effective in some studies, users should be cautious about potential drawbacks.
Scooped Key Arrangements
This design brings keys closer together, minimizing finger lifting and potentially reducing hand movement. Limited research exists on the musculoskeletal effects of this arrangement.
Minimum-Motion Keyboards
These keyboards aim to reduce muscle movements to a minimum, potentially immobilizing the hands. While research is scarce, they may offer benefits in terms of minimizing tendon travel.
Keyboards with Straight Column Arrangements
Eliminating the diagonal offset of keys, this design aims to reduce ulnar deviation of the left hand. However, research on its effectiveness is lacking.
In the quest for ergonomic excellence, the world of alternative keyboards offers a diverse array of options. Users and employers should carefully consider the specific needs of individuals and workplaces, keeping in mind the varied ergonomic features and potential benefits of each design. As the landscape continues to evolve, ongoing research and user feedback will play a crucial role in refining and advancing keyboard ergonomics.
