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Effects of different working postures and pointing devices on energy expenditure, upper limb and back
muscles activity, task performance and perception.

Publication

This study simultaneously compared four working postures (sitting on an office chair, on a ball, standing and pedaling on an ergocycle) and five pointing device configurations (traditional and slanted mouse placed next to and in front of the keyboard, and central pointing device) in relation to sedentary behavior and musculoskeletal disorders. Pedaling on an ergocycle was the only posture that exceeded the sedentary behaviour threshold of 1.5 METs. This posture resulted in the higest task completion time and was least favoured by participants. Regardless of the pointing device configuration, there was a risk of fatigue in the extensor carpi muscle of the dominant limb. Nevertheless, the central pointing device reduced stress on this muscle compared to mice. Task performance was the best with the traditional mouse. Using the central pointing device while pedaling on an ergocycle led to the lowest task performance and the highest stress on the trapezius muscle.