Top

Published in:

01-05-2005 | Original Article

A comparison of muscular activity during single and double mouse clicks

Authors: Stefan Thorn, Mikael Forsman, Susan Hallbeck

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1-2/2005

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in the neck/shoulder region and the upper extremities are a common problem among computer workers. Occurrences of motor unit (MU) double discharges with very short inter-firing intervals (doublets) have been hypothesised as a potential additional risk for overuse of already exhausted fibres during long-term stereotyped activity. Doublets are reported to be present during double-click mouse work tasks. A few comparative studies have been carried out on overall muscle activities for short-term tasks with single types of actions, but none on occurrences of doublets during double versus single clicks. The main purpose of this study was to compare muscle activity levels of single and double mouse clicks during a long-term combined mouse/keyboard work task. Four muscles were studied: left and right upper trapezius, right extensor digitorum communis (EDC) and right flexor carpi ulnaris. Additionally, MU activity was analysed through intramuscular electromyography in the EDC muscle for a selection of subjects. The results indicate that double clicking produces neither higher median or 90th percentile levels in the trapezius and EDC muscles, nor a higher disposition for MU doublets, than does single clicking. Especially for the 90th percentile levels, the indications are rather the opposite (in the EDC significantly higher during single clicks in 8 of 11 subjects, P<0.05). Although it cannot be concluded from the present study that double clicks are harmless, there were no signs that double clicks during computer work generally constitute a larger risk factor for WMSDs than do single clicks.

Aarås A, Ro O (1997) Workload when using a mouse as an input device. Int J Hum Comp Interact 9(2):105–118

Abbate F, Bruton JD, De Haan A, Westerblad H (2002) Prolonged force increase following a high-frequency burst is not due to a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 283:C42–C47

Bawa P, Calancie B (1983) Repetitive doublets in human flexor carpi radialis muscle. J Phys [E] 339:123–132

Bernard BP, Putz-Anderson V, Burt SE, Cole LL, Fairfield-Estill C, Fine LJ, Grant KA, Gjessing C, Jenkins L, Hurrell JJ, Nelson N, Pfirman D, Roberts R, Stetson D, Haring-Sweeney M, Tanaka S (1997) In: Bernard BP (ed) Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors. A critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/97–141.pdf. DHHS (NIOSH) Publ No 97–141, chap 2

Birch L, Juul-Kristensen B, Jensen C, Finsen L, Christensen H (2000) Acute response to precision, time pressure and mental demand during simulated computer work. Scand J Work Environ Health 26(4):299–305

Blangsted AK, Olsen HB, Søgaard K (2001) Motor unit firing behaviour in human trapezius muscle during double clicking of computer mouse. In: Movement and sensation, International Symposium, Cairns, 3–6 September 2001

Blatter BM, Bongers PM (2002) Duration of computer use and mouse use in relation to musculoskeletal disorders of neck or upper limb. Int J Ind Ergonom 30(4):295–306CrossRef

BLS—Bureau of Labor Statistics/U.S. Department of Labor (1999) Occupational injuries and illnesses: industry data. Available at: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/ostb0911.pdf

Broberg E, Bastin M (2002) Arbetsmiljön 2001. In: Öberg S (ed) Sveriges officiella statistik, Statistiska meddelanden. ISSN 0082–0237, AM 68 SM 0201. Available at: http://www.av.se/statistik/dok/0000173.pdf. Arbetsmiljöverket/Statistiska Centralbyrån, pp 49–50

Cutsem M van , Duchateau J, Hainaut K (1998) Changes in single motor unit behaviour contribute to the increase in contraction speed after dynamic training in humans. J Phys [E] 513(1):295–305CrossRef

Denslow JS (1948) Double discharges in human motor units. J Neurophysiol 11:209–215

Desmedt JE, Godaux E (1977) Ballistic contractions in man: characteristic recruitment pattern of single motor units of the tibialis anterior muscle. J Phys [E] 264:673–693

Fogleman M, Lewis RJ (2002) Factors associated with self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort in video display terminal (VDT) users. Int J Ind Ergonom 29:311–318CrossRef

Forsman M, Kadefors R, Zhang Q, Birch L, Palmerud G (1999) Motor-unit recruitment in the trapezius muscle during arm movements and in VDU precision work. Int J Ind Ergonom 24:619–630CrossRef

Forsman M, Birch L, Zhang Q, Kadefors R (2001) Motor-unit recruitment in the trapezius muscle with special reference to coarse arm movements. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 11:207–216CrossRef

Forsman M, Taoda K, Thorn S, Zhang Q (2002) Motor-unit recruitment during long-term isometric and wrist motion contractions: a study concerning muscular pain development in computer operators. Int J Ind Ergonom 30(4–5):237–250CrossRef

Freriks B, Hermens H, Disselhorst-Klug C, Rau G (1999) The recommendations for sensors and sensor placement procedures for surface electromyography. In: Hermens H, Freriks B, Merletti R, Stegeman D, Blok J, Rau G, Disselhorst-Klug C and Hägg G (eds) SENIAM—deliverable 8—European recommendations for surface electromyography. Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, pp 15–54

Garland SJ, Griffin L (1999) Motor unit double discharges: statistical anomaly or functional entity? Can J Appl Physiol 24(2):113–130

Gerr F, Marcus M, Ensor C, Kleinbaum D, Cohen S, Edwards A, Gentry E, Ortiz DJ, Monteilh C (2002) A prospective study of computer users. 1. Study design and incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. Am J Ind Med 41:221–235CrossRefPubMed

Griffin L, Garland SJ, Ivanova T (1998) Discharge patterns in human motor units during fatiguing arm movements. J Appl Physiol 85(5):1684–1692

Gustafsson E, Hagberg M (2003) Computer mouse ue in two different hand positions: exposure, comfort, exertion and productivity. Int J Ind Ergonom 34:107–113

Hägg GM (1991) Static work loads and occupational myalgia—a new explanation model. In: Anderson P A, Hobart DJ, Danoff JV (eds) Electromyographical kinesiology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 141–143

Henneman E, Somjen G, Carpenter DO (1965) Excitability and inhibitability of motoneurons of different sizes. J Neurophysiol 28:599–620PubMed

Jensen C, Borg V, Finsen L, Hansen K, Juul-Kristensen B, Christensen H (1998) Job demands, muscle activity and musculoskeletal symptoms in relation to work with the computer mouse. Scand J Work Environ Health 24(5):418–424

Jensen C, Finsen L, Hansen K, Christensen H (1999) Upper trapezius muscle activity patterns during repetitive manual material handling and work with a computer mouse. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 9:317–325CrossRef

Johnson P, McLoone H, Adams E, Arms S (2000a) Developing miniature force-sensing technologies for measuring the forces applied to a computer mouse. In: Proceedings of the 44th annual meeting of the human factors and Ergonomics society, vol 6. HFES, Santa Monica, pp 629–632

Johnson PW, Hagberg M, Wigaeus Hjelm E, Rempel D (2000b) Measuring and characterizing force exposures during computer mouse use. Scand J Work Environ Health 26(5):398–405

Juul-Kristensen B, Kadefors R, Hansen K, Byström P, Sandsjö L, Sjøgaard G (2004) Clinical signs and physical function in neck and upper extremeties among elderly female computer users. The NEW-study. Eur J Appl Physiol (in press)

Kadefors R, Läubli T (2002) Muscular disorders in computer users: introduction. Int J Ind Ergonom 30(4–5):203–210CrossRef

Keen DA, Fuglevand AJ (2004) Distribution of motor unit force in human extensor digitorum assessed by spike-triggered averaging and intraneural microstimulation. J Neurophysiol 91:2515–2523

Kominski R, Newburger E (1999) Access denied: Changes in computer ownership and use, 1984–1997. In: Annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. Chicago, pp 1–34. Available at: http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/computer/confpap99.pdf

Kudina LP, Alexeeva NL (1992) Repetitive doublets of human motoneurones: analysis of interspike intervals and recruitment pattern. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 85:243–247

Laursen B, Jensen BR (2000) Shoulder muscle activity in young and older people during a computer mouse task. Clin Biomech 15(1):S30–S33CrossRef

Laursen B, Jensen BR, Ratkevicius A (2001) Performance and muscle activity during computer mouse tasks in young and elderly adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 84:329–336CrossRef

Ljung B-O, Lieber RL, Fridén J (1999) Wrist extensor muscle pathology in lateral epicondylitis. J Hand Surg [Br] 24B(2):177–183

Mathiassen SE, Winkel J, Hägg GM (1995) Normalization of surface EMG amplitude from the upper trapezius muscle in ergonomic studies—a review. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 5(4):197–226CrossRef

Mogk JPM, Keir PJ (2003) Crosstalk in surface electromyography of the proximal forearm during gripping tasks. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 13:63–71CrossRef

Moore KL (1985) The forearm of antebrachium. In: Clinically oriented anatomy, vol 2. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 691–733

Öberg S, Åström L (2000) Working environment for employed persons, by gender and age, per cent. Statistical yearbook of Sweden 2001. Also available at: http://www.scb.se/publkat/allman/arbetsmarknad.pdf, vol. 87, Statistics Sweden. Publication Services, Örebro pp 241–244

Olsen HB, Blangsted AK, Søgaard K (2001) Motor unit firing behaviour in human trapezius muscle during double clicking of computer mouse. In: Sandsjö L, Kadefors R (eds) The 2nd PROCID symposium, prevention of muscle disorders in computer users: scientific basis and recommendations. National Institute for Working Life/West, Göteborg, pp 233–239

Olsen HB, Sjøgaard G, Farina D, Søgaard K (2002) Motor unit firing pattern during double and single clicking on a computer mouse. In: Kollmitzer J, Bijak M (eds) Standardization for better exchange of ideas. Proceedings of the 14th Congress of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology. University of Vienna, Vienna, pp 321–322

Partanen VSJ, Lang AH (1978) An analysis of double discharges in the human elecromyogram. J Neurol Sci 36:363–375CrossRef

Ranney D, Wells R, Moore A (1995) Upper limb musculoskeletal disorders in highly repetitive industries: precise anatomical physical findings. Ergonomics 38(7):1408–1423PubMed

Schnoz M, Läubli T, Weiss JA, Krueger H (1999) Activation of the finger and trapezius muscles in repetitive, short and long term finger movements. Z Arbeitswiss 53(2):131–138

Sjøgaard G, Søgaard K, Finsen L, Olsen HB, Christensen H (2001) Doublets in motor unit activity of human forearm muscle during simulated computer work. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg 26:83–85

Søgaard K, Sjøgaard G, Finsen L, Olsen HB, Christensen H (2001) Motor unit activity during stereotyped finger tasks and computer mouse work. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 11:197–206CrossRef

Thorn S, Forsman M, Zhang Q, Hallbeck S (2002a) Motor unit firing pattern in the trapezius muscle during long-term computer work. In: Kollmitzer J, Bijak M (eds) Standardization for a better exchange of ideas. Proceedings of the 14th Congress of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology. University of Vienna, Vienna, pp 34–35

Thorn S, Forsman M, Zhang Q, Taoda K (2002b) Low-threshold motor unit activity during a 1-h static contraction in the trapezius muscle. Int J Ind Ergonom 30(4–5):225–236CrossRef

Waersted M, Eken T, Westgaard RH (1996) Activity of single motor units in attention-demanding tasks: firing pattern in the human trapezius muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 72:323–329CrossRef

Wigaeus Tornqvist E, Eriksson N, Bergqvist U (2000) Dator- och kontorsarbetsplatsens fysiska och psykosociala arbetsmiljörisker. In: Marklund S (ed) Arbetsliv och hälsa. Arbetslivsinstitutet, Stockholm, pp 235–260

Zennaro D, Läubli T, Krebs D, Klipstein A, Krueger H (2003) Continuous, intermitted and sporadic motor unit activity in the trapezius muscle during prolonged computer work. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 13:113–124CrossRefPubMed

Title: A comparison of muscular activity during single and double mouse clicks
Authors: Stefan Thorn
Mikael Forsman
Susan Hallbeck
Publication date: 01-05-2005
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 1-2/2005
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1312-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A comparison of muscular activity during single and double mouse clicks

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1-2/2005

Muscle activity and heart rate response during backward walking in water and on dry land

Determination of muscular fatigue in elite runners

Bilateral isokinetic training reduces the bilateral leg strength deficit for both old and young adults

Effects of combined resistance and cardiovascular training on strength, power, muscle cross-sectional area, and endurance markers in middle-aged men

A new device for controlled eccentric overloading in training and rehabilitation

Repeated maximal eccentric actions causes long-lasting disturbances in movement control