Keyboard Design and Operating Posture

Abstract

A previous study of muscle incoordination and aching (occupational cramp and myalgia) in telegraphists revealed that the layout of the standard QWERTY keyboard conferred an uneven distribution of load to the fingers. It appeared that layout also affected operating posture, shown to be linked with the occurrence of these symptoms in operating. The aims of the present study were to explore effects of design on the operator, and to examine how layout could be changed to obviate postulated adverse effects. Affected and unaffected telegraphists were interviewed and tested in various ways, and were observed and photographed while operating teleprinters. The load on each finger of the telegraphist and typist conferred by the standard keyboard was analysed and found to be maldistributed, the ring and little fingers being overloaded. Other features of keyboard design and work layout were identified as likely sources of inefficient operating postures and thus probably of symptoms in operating. An alternative keyboard layout is suggested which overcomes maldistribution, and to some extent the probable sources of postural difficulty. The results of the study support other changes to keyboard design suggested by Kloockenberg nearly 50 years ago.