Muscle Loadings While Using Finger as Input Device

Finger-operated input device (FOID) might provide effective pointing and dragging control. However, it was suspected that the repetitive nature of the pointing and dragging tasks while operating the FOID would induce finger muscle fatigue. This study examined the finger strain by collecting electromyographic (EMG) data from 10 subjects while playing "computer solitaire" using the FOID or a trackball mouse for 40 minutes each. Pair-wise comparisons of electrical activity and median frequency showed no significant differences in these fatigue measurements between the new FOID and the trackball mouse. On the other hand, results of JASA indicted less finger muscle loading for the new FOID than that of the trackball. These results are of heuristic value and provide a promising basis for future development of the concept of FOIDs.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: APCHI
• Authors: Yung-Hui Lee, Wei-Yow Chen, Yi-Cherng Su
• Keywords: APCHI 2008, Finger Muscle, Finger Muscle Fatigue, Human Computer Interaction, Trackball Mouse