Studies on Ergonomically Designed Alphanumeric Keyboards

A keyboard concept based on biomechanical considerations was studied with 51 trained typists. The keyboard is split into two half-keyboards. An adjustable model allowed study of the preferred settings of opening angles, lateral inclinations, and distances of the split keyboard. The preferred split keyboards decrease the lateral deviation of the hands, and the use of a large forearm-wrist support is associated with a backwards leaning of the subjects and with an increased pressure of forearm-wrists onto the support. After the typing tasks, about two-thirds of the subjects asserted that they preferred the split keyboard models. Less pain and an increased feeling of relaxation were reported by the subjects when operating the split keyboards.