Tablet form factors and swipe gesture designs affect thumb biomechanics and performance during two-handed use

Coppola, Sarah; Lin, Michael; Schilkowsky, John; Arezes, Pedro; Dennerlein, Jack T.

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2017.12.015

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The aim of this study was to build upon a previous thumb swiping study to determine the effect of sex/gender for participants' thumb swiping performance, forearm muscle activity, and self-reported discomfort during thumb swiping tasks (Coppola et al, 2018). Overall, there was a significant effect of sex/gender in addition to the other independent variables (tablet size, tablet orientation, gesture location, gesture direction, and gesture orientation) on many forearm muscles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…To our knowledge, no studies have investigated the sex/gender differences in thumb swiping tasks on touchscreen devices. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use the data previously reported in Coppola et al (2018) to explore the effect of sex/gender during thumb swiping tasks with different tablet hardware and software characteristics on forearm muscle activity, performance, and usability. Specifically, we hypothesize that female participants will use more muscle activity across tasks, perform worse on farther reach swipe targets, and report higher discomfort and difficulty for larger tablets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Upper Extremity Biomechanics and Gender: The Effects of Modern Computing Technologies

Coppola

Dennerlein

2018

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

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Mobile computing devices are often designed with a one-size-fits-all approach, and consumers purchase devices based off of technical specifications rather than whether the devices fit them. Female gender is associated with higher risks of upper extremity repetitive injury, which may be caused by the generally smaller anthropometry of women (Cote, 2011; Won, Johnson, Punnett, & Dennerlein, 2009). This paper explores two mobile technologies’ effects on forearm muscle activity, performance, and self-reported experience within each gender for two recent laboratory experiments. A typing study with four short travel keyboards showed that female participants are more affected by different key switch designs than male participants. A touchscreen thumb swiping study revealed that male and female participants were similarly affected by tablet size, swipe location, and swipe direction. These results demonstrate the need to include both genders in usability testing for mobile technology and to consider individual differences when designing technologies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Upper Extremity Biomechanics and Gender: The Effects of Modern Computing Technologies

Coppola

Dennerlein

2018

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

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“…While the initial direction, radial or ulnar deviation, for backward page turning or swiping was different depending on the hand, left or right, in use, only medial radial deviation was significantly higher for page turning. The process of semi-grasping, elevating, and releasing a book page requires more complex wrist motion than swiping on a tablet, and swiping requires sustained contact in a more constrained space [ 4 ]. Greater medial extension angle and ROM for typing versus texting and maximum medial extension angle and lateral extension ROM during female manual versus cell phone calculator use could also be associated with device attributes, specifically key activation [ 35 , 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wrist motion is distinct between touch screen and manual or digital devices

Lopez,

Takawira,

Fox

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Background Restricted motion during touch screen device use may contribute to wrist overuse injuries. Wrist radioulnar deviation and extension while using touch screen devices and digital or manual counterparts in male and female medical professional dominant and non-dominant hands were quantified to test the hypothesis that mobile touch screen device use reduces wrist motion. Methods An active motion detection system was used to record wrist motion of 12 participants while: tablet swiping and turning book pages; raising a cell and traditional phone to the ear; texting and typing; and entering numbers on a cell phone and manual calculator. Medial and lateral wrist surface range of motion (ROM) and minimum and maximum wrist radial-ulnar deviation and flexion-extension were quantified. Results Device, sex and handedness effects were determined (P<0.05). Maximum medial radial deviation and ROM were greater using a cell versus traditional phone. Maximum medial radial deviation was higher in the nondominant wrist during backward tablet swiping and while backward page turning versus tablet swiping. Maximum and minimum medial extension angles and ROM were greater while typing versus texting. Female nondominant hand maximum lateral extension and ROM were greater for typing versus texting and maximum medial extension and lateral extension ROM greater during manual versus cell phone calculator use with handedness combined. Maximum lateral extension and ROM were greater in females versus males using manual calculators. Conclusions Sex and handedness should instruct touch screen, digital and manual device design and use for optimal performance and injury prevention.

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“…Therefore, bimanual perceived grip comfort should be considered. The M ( SD ) side bezel width of 151 tablet PCs, 15.2 (2.5) mm, can be used as a reference considering that tablet PC touch interaction studies (Coppola, Lin, Schilkowsky, Arezes, & Dennerlein, 2018; Odell & Chandrasekaran, 2012; Oulasvirta et al, 2013; Trudeau, Catalano, Jindrich, & Dennerlein, 2013) commonly assumed the same gripping method (hands holding respective sides of the device with thumbs on respective side bezels), similar to the gripping methods used for Grip FF .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shaping Rollable Display Devices: Effects of Gripping Condition, Device Thickness, and Hand Length on Bimanual Perceived Grip Comfort

et al. 2019

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Objective To examine the effects of the gripping condition, device thickness, and hand length on bimanual perceived grip comfort associated with unrolling hand-held rollable screens. Background Rollable displays can be rolled and unrolled to change screen size. Although diverse rollable display device concepts have been suggested, little is known regarding ergonomic forms for comfortable screen unrolling. Method Thirty young individuals (10 in each hand-length group) evaluated three rollable display device prototypes in three gripping conditions (no restriction on using side bezels, minimal use of side bezels, and restriction on the gripping type). Prototypes differed in their right-side thickness (2, 6, and 10 mm). Side bezel regions grasped during screen unrolling and corresponding bimanual grip comfort ratings were obtained. Results To improve perceived grip comfort and accommodate user-preferred gripping methods, rollable display devices should be 6 mm (preferably 10 mm) thick (vs. 2 mm) and have at least 20-mm-wide side bezels. Relative to device thickness, gripping conditions were more influential on grip comfort ratings. The “no restriction” condition improved grip comfort ratings and strengthened bimanual coupling in terms of grip comfort ratings. Conclusion Contrary to current smartphone trends toward thinner and bezel-less designs, hand-held rollable display devices should be sufficiently thick and have sufficiently wide side bezels for screen unrolling. Application Hand-held rollable display devices should be 6- or preferably 10-mm thick (vs. 2 mm) and have at least 20-mm-wide side bezels to ensure higher perceived grip comfort during bilateral screen unrolling.

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Tablet form factors and swipe gesture designs affect thumb biomechanics and performance during two-handed use

Cited by 20 publications

References 16 publications

Upper Extremity Biomechanics and Gender: The Effects of Modern Computing Technologies

Upper Extremity Biomechanics and Gender: The Effects of Modern Computing Technologies

Wrist motion is distinct between touch screen and manual or digital devices

Shaping Rollable Display Devices: Effects of Gripping Condition, Device Thickness, and Hand Length on Bimanual Perceived Grip Comfort

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