Skip to main content

Fatigue development in the finger flexor muscle differs between keyboard and mouse use

European Journal of Applied Physiology volume 114, pages 2469–2482 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to determine whether there were any physiological changes in the muscle as a result of intensive computer use.

Methods

Using a repeated measures experimental design, eighteen subjects participated in four different 8-h conditions: a control (no exposure) condition and three exposure conditions comprised of 6 h of computer use (keyboard, mouse, and combined keyboard and mouse use) followed by 2 h of recovery. In each condition, using 2 Hz neuromuscular electrical stimulation, eight temporal measurements were collected to evaluate the fatigue state (twitch force, contraction time, and ½ relaxation time) of the right middle finger Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS) muscle before, during, and after computer use.

Results

The results indicated that 6 h of keyboard, mouse, and combined mouse and keyboard use all caused temporal fatigue-related changes in physiological state of the FDS muscle. Keyboard use resulted in muscle potentiation, which was characterized by approximately 30 % increase in twitch force (p < 0.0001) and 3 % decrease (p = 0.04) in twitch durations. Mouse use resulted in a combined state of potentiation and fatigue, which was characterized by an increase in twitch forces (p = 0.002) but a prolonging (11 %) rather than a shortening of twitch durations (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

When comparing mouse and keyboard use, the more substantial change in the physiological state of the muscle with mouse use (potentiation and fatigue compared to just potentiation with keyboard use) provides some physiological evidence which may explain why mouse use has a greater association with computer-related injuries.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

References

  • Adamo DE, Martin BJ, Johnson PW (2002) Vibration-induced muscle fatigue, a possible contribution to musculoskeletal injury. Eur J Appl Physiol 88(1–2):134–140

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adamo DE, Khodaee M, Barringer S, Johnson PW, Martin BJ (2009) Low mean level sustained and intermittent grip exertions: influence of age on fatigue and recovery. Ergonomics 52(10):1287–1297

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alam M, Smirk FH (1937) Observations in man upon a blood pressure raising reflex arising from the voluntary muscles. J Physiol Lond 89(4):372–383

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Allen DG, Lee JA, Westerblad H (1989) Intracellular calcium and tension during fatigue in isolated single muscle fibres from Xenopus laevis. J Physiol 415:433–458

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Allen DG, Westerblad H, Lannergren J (1995) The role of intracellular acidosis in muscle fatigue. Adv Exp Med Biol 384:57–68

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alway SE, Hughson RL, Green HJ, Patla AE, Frank JS (1987) Twitch potentiation after fatiguing exercise in man. Eur J Appl Physiol 56(4):461–466

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen JH, Thomsen JF, Overgaard E, Lassen CF, Brandt LPA, Vilstrup I, Kryger AI, Mikkelsen S (2003) Computer use and carpal tunnel syndrome—A 1-year follow-up study. JAMA 289(22):2963–2969

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen JH, Fallentin N, Thomsen JF, Mikkelsen S (2011) Risk factors for neck and upper extremity disorders among computers users and the effect of interventions: an overview of systematic reviews. PLoS ONE 6(5):11

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong TJ, Buckle P, Fine LJ, Hagberg M, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Kuorinka IAA, Silverstein BA, Sjogaard G, Viikarijuntura ERA (1993) A conceptional-model for work-related neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders. Scand J Work Environ Health 19(2):73–84

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett AF (1985) Temperature and muscle. J Exp Biol 115:333–344

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bennie KJ, Ciriello VM, Johnson PW, Dennerlein JT (2002) Electromyographic activity of the human extensor carpi ulnaris muscle changes with exposure to repetitive ulnar deviation. Eur J Appl Physiol 88(1–2):5–12

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bergqvist U, Wolgast E, Nilsson B, Voss M (1995) The influence of VDT work on musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics 38(4):754–762

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borg GA (1982) Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 14(5):377–381

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Celichowski J, Pogrzebna M, Krutki P (2006) Changes in the time course of potentiated and fatigued contractions of fast motor units in rat muscle. Arch Ital Biol 144(3–4):159–171

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang CH, Amick BC, Menendez CC, Katz JN, Johnson PW, Robertson M, Dennerlein JT (2007) Daily computer usage correlated with undergraduate students’ musculoskeletal symptoms. Am J Ind Med 50(6):481–488

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang CH, Johnson PW, Dennerlein JT (2008) A wide range of activity duration cutoffs provided unbiased estimates of exposure to computer use. J Occup Environ Hyg 5(12):790–796

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang CH, Johnson PW, Katz JN, Eisen EA, Dennerlein JT (2009) Typing keystroke duration changed after submaximal isometric finger exercises. Eur J Appl Physiol 105(1):93–101

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • De Ruiter CJ, De Haan A (2000) Temperature effect on the force/velocity relationship of the fresh and fatigued human adductor pollicis muscle. Pflugers Arch 440(1):163–170

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dennerlein JT, Diao E, Mote CD, Rempel DM (1998) Tensions of the flexor digitorum superficialis are higher than a current model predicts. J Biomech 31(4):295–301

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dennerlein JT, Diao E, Mote CD, Rempel DM (1999) In vivo finger flexor tendon force while tapping on a keyswitch. J Orthop Res 17(2):178–184

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dennerlein JT, Ciriello VM, Kerin KJ, Johnson PW (2003) Fatigue in the forearm resulting from low-level repetitive ulnar deviation. AIHA J 64(6):799–805

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards RHT, Hill DK, Jones DA, Merton PA (1977) Fatigue of long duration in human skeletal muscle after exercise. J Physiol 272(3):769–778

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Enoka RM (2002) Neuromechanics of human movement. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowles JR, Green HJ (2003) Coexistence of potentiation and low-frequency fatigue during voluntary exercise in human skeletal muscle. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 81(12):1092–1100

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garner SH, Hicks AL, McComas AJ (1989) Prolongation of twitch potentiating mechanism throughout muscle fatigue and recovery. Exp Neurol 103(3):277–281

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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: I. study design and incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. Am J Ind Med 41:221–235

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerr F, Marcus M, Monteilh C (2004) Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders among computer users: lesson learned from the role of posture and keyboard use. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 14(1):25–31

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerr F, Monteilh CP, Marcus M (2006) Keyboard use and musculoskeletal outcomes among computer users. J Occup Rehabil 16(3):265–277

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gossen ER, Sale DG (2000) Effect of postactivation potentiation on dynamic knee extension performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 83(6):524–530

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grange RW, Houston ME (1991) Simultaneous potentiation and fatigue in quadriceps after a 60 second maximal voluntary isometric contraction. J Appl Physiol 70(2):726–731

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grange RW, Vandenboom R, Houston ME (1993) Physiological significance of myosin phosphorylation in skeletal-muscle. Can J Appl Physiol 18(3):229–242

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green HJ, Jones SR (1989) Does post-tetanic potentiation compensate for low-frequency fatigue. Clin Physiol 9(5):499–514

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greening J, Lynn B (1998) Vibration sense in the upper limb in patients with repetitive strain injury and a group of at-risk office workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 71(1):29–34

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamada T, Sale DG, Macdougall JD (2000a) Postactivation potentiation in endurance-trained male athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32(2):403–411

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamada T, Sale DG, MacDougall JD, Tarnopolsky MA (2000b) Postactivation potentiation, fiber type, and twitch contraction time in human knee extensor muscles. J Appl Physiol 88(6):2131–2137

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanchard NCA, Williamson M, Caley RW, Cooper RG (1998) Electrical stimulation of human tibialis anterior: (A) contractile properties are stable over a range of submaximal voltages; (B) high- and low-frequency fatigue are inducible and reliably assessable at submaximal voltages. Clin Rehabil 12(5):413–427

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • He ZH, Bottinelli R, Pellegrino MA, Ferenczi MA, Reggiani C (2000) ATP consumption and efficiency of human single muscle fibers with different myosin isoform composition. Biophys J 79(2):945–961

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Houston ME, Green HJ, Stull JT (1985) Myosin light chain phosphorylation and isometric twitch potentiation in intact human-muscle. Pflugers Arch 403(4):348–352

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ijmker S, Huysmans MA, Blatter BM, van der Beek AJ, van Mechelen W, Bongers PM (2007) Should office workers spend fewer hours at their computer? A systematic review of the literature. Occup Environ Med 64(4):211–222

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen C (2003) Development of neck and hand-wrist symptoms in relation to duration of computer use at work. Scand J Work Environ Health 29(3):197–205

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen C, Finsen L, Sogaard K, Christensen H (2002) Musculoskeletal symptoms and duration of computer and mouse use. Int J Ind Ergon 30(4–5):265–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson PW, Ciriello VM, Kerin KJ, Dennerlein JT (2012) Using electrical stimulation to measure physiological changes in the human extensor carpi ulnaris muscle after prolonged low-level repetitive ulnar deviation. Appl Ergon 44(1):35–41

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones DA (1996) High- and low-frequency fatigue revisited. Acta Physiol Scand 156(3):265–270

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kryger AI, Andersen JH, Lassen CF, Brandt LPA, Vilstrup I, Overgaard E, Thomsen JF, Mikkelsen S (2003) Does computer use pose an occupational hazard for forearm pain; from the NUDATA study. Occup Environ Med 60:e14

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lassen CF, Mikkelsen S, Kryger AI, Brandt LPA, Overgaard E, Thomsen JF, Vilstrup L, Andersen JH (2004) Elbow and wrist/hand symptoms among 6,943 computer operators: a 1-year follow-up study (The NUDATA study). Am J Ind Med 46(5):521–533

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Light AR, Vierck CJ, Light KC (2010) Myalgia and fatigue: translation from mouse sensory neurons to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndromes. In: Translational pain research: from mouse to man. CRC Press, Boca Raton

  • Lin MI, Liang HW, Lin KH, Hwang YH (2004) Electromyographical assessment on muscular fatigue—an elaboration upon repetitive typing activity. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 14(6):661–669

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacIntosh BR, Rassier DE (2002) What is fatigue? Can J Appl Physiol 27(1):42–55

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacIntosh BR, Gardiner PF, McComas AJ (2006) Skeletal muscle: form and function. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin BJ, Armstrong TJ, Foulke JA, Natarajan S, Klinenberg E, Serina E, Rempel D (1996) Keyboard reaction force and finger flexor electromyograms during computer keyboard work. Hum Factors 38(4):654–664

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLoone HE, Jacobson M, Clark P, Opina R, Hegg C, Johnson P (2009) Design and evaluation of a curved computer keyboard. Ergonomics 52(12):1529–1539

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger JM, Greaser ML, Moss RL (1989) Variations in cross-bridge attachment rate and tension with phosphorylation of myosin in mammalian skinned skeletal-muscle fibers—implications for twitch potentiation in intact muscle. J Gen Physiol 93(5):855–883

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mikkelsen S, Vilstrup I, Lassen CF, Kryger AI, Thomsen JF, Andersen JH (2007) Validity of questionnaire self-reports on computer, mouse and keyboard usage during a four-week period. Occup Environ Med 64:541–547

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miyamoto N, Yanai T, Kawakami Y (2011) Twitch potentiation induced by stimulated and voluntary isometric contractions at various torque levels in human knee extensor muscle. Muscle Nerve 43(3):360–366

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oleary DD, Hope K, Sale DG (1997) Posttetanic potentiation of human dorsiflexors. J Appl Physiol 83(6):2131–2138

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer BM, Moore RL (1989) Myosin light chain phosphorylation and tension potentiation in mouse skeletal-muscle. Am J Physiol 257(5):C1012–C1019

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pasquet B, Carpentier A, Duchateau J, Hainaut K (2000) Muscle fatigue during concentric and eccentric contractions. Muscle Nerve 23(11):1727–1735

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Punnett L, Wegman DH (2004) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: the epidemiologic evidence and the debate. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 14(1):13–23

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Radwin RG, Jeng OJ (1997) Activation force and travel effects on overexertion in repetitive key tapping. Hum Factors 39(1):130–140

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rankin LL, Enoka RM, Volz KA, Stuart DG (1988) Coexistence of twitch potentiation and tetanic force decline in rat hindlimb muscle. J Appl Physiol 65(6):2687–2695

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rassier DE, Macintosh BR (2000) Coexistence of potentiation and fatigue in skeletal muscle. Braz J Med Biol Res 33(5):499–508

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rempel DM, Harrison RJ, Barnhart S (1992) Work-related cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremity. JAMA 267(6):838–842

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rempel D, Serina E, Klinenberg E, Martin BJ, Armstrong TJ, Foulke JA, Natarajan S (1997) The effect of keyboard keyswitch make force on applied force and finger flexor muscle activity. Ergonomics 40(8):800–808

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Renaud JM, Stevens ED (1981) The interactive effects of temperature and pH on the isometric contraction of toad sartorius muscle. J Comp Physiol 145(1):67–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sjoholm H, Sahlin K, Edstrom L, Hultman E (1983) Quantitative estimation of anaerobic and oxidative energy-metabolism and contraction characteristics in intact human skeletal-muscle in response to electrical-stimulation. Clin Physiol 3(3):227–239

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smutz P, Serina E, Rempel D (1994) A sytesm for evaluating the effect of keyboard design on force, posture, comport, and productivity. Ergonomics 37(10):1649–1660

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasan D, Mathiassen SE (2012) Motor variability in occupational health and performance. Clin Biomech 27(10):979–993

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney HL, Stull JT (1990) Alteration of cross-bridge kinetics by myosin light chain phosphorylation in rabbit skeletal-muscle—implication for regulation of actin myosin interaction. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87(1):414–418

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Takala EP (2002) Static muscular load, an increasing hazard in modern information technology. Scand J Work Environ Health 28(4):211–213

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tayyari F, Smith JL (1997) Occupational ergonomics: principles and applications. Manufacturing systems engineering series. Chapman & Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomsen GF, Johnson PW, Svendsen SW, Kryger AI, Bonde JPE (2007) Muscle fatigue in relation to forearm pain and tenderness among professional computer users. J Occup Med Toxicol 2:17

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Valencia F (1986) Local muscle fatigue. A precursor to RSI? Med J Aust 145(7):327–330

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vandervoort AA, Quinlan J, McComas AJ (1983) Twitch potentiation after voluntary contraction. Exp Neurol 81(1):141–152

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Visser B, van Dieen JH (2006) Pathophysiology of upper extremity muscle disorders. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 16(3):312–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waersted M, Hanvold TN, Veiersted KB (2010) Computer work and musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 11:79

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Westerblad H, Bruton JD, Allen DG, Lannergren J (2000) Functional significance of Ca2+ in long-lasting fatigue of skeletal muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 83(2–3):166–174

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under an R21 Grant (OH009088-02) and Washington State Medical Aid and Accident Fund. The authors would like to thank all the participants for taking part in this study.

Conflict of interest

No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, are declared by the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Jeong Ho Kim

  2. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Peter W. Johnson

Authors
  1. Jeong Ho Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter W. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeong Ho Kim.

Additional information

Communicated by Fausto Baldissera.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kim, J.H., Johnson, P.W. Fatigue development in the finger flexor muscle differs between keyboard and mouse use. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 2469–2482 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2974-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2974-y

Keywords

  • Electrical stimulation
  • Muscle fatigue
  • Computer use
  • Musculoskeletal disorders