Investigating Glenohumeral Joint Contact Forces and Kinematics in Different Keyboard and Monitor Setups using Opensim

Milad Gholami; Alireza Choobineh; Mohammad Taghi Karimi; Azizallah Dehghan; Mohammad Abdoli-Eramaki

doi:10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2210-1450

Investigating Glenohumeral Joint Contact Forces and Kinematics in Different Keyboard and Monitor Setups using Opensim

J Biomed Phys Eng. 2023 Jun 1;13(3):281-290. doi: 10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2210-1450. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Milad Gholami¹, Alireza Choobineh², Mohammad Taghi Karimi³, Azizallah Dehghan⁴, Mohammad Abdoli-Eramaki⁵

Affiliations

¹ Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
² Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
³ School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
⁴ Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
⁵ School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.

Abstract

Background: The musculoskeletal complaints of the shoulder are prevalent in people who work with computers for a long time.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the glenohumeral joint contact forces and kinematics in different keyboards and monitor setups using OpenSim.

Material and methods: Twelve randomly selected healthy males participated in an experimental study. A 3×3 factorial design was used in which three angles were considered for the monitor and three horizontal distances for the keyboard while performing standard tasks. The workstation was adjusted based on ANSI/HFES-100-2007 standard to maintain a comfortable ergonomic posture for controlling confounding variables. Qualisys motion capture system and OpenSim were used.

Results: The maximum mean range of motion (ROM) of both shoulders' flexion and adduction was observed when the keyboard was 15 cm from the edge of the desk, and the monitor angle was 30°. The maximum mean ROM of both shoulders' internal rotation was recorded for the keyboard at the edge of the desk. Peak forces for most right shoulder complex muscles were obtained in two setups. 3D shoulder joint moments were significantly different among nine setups (P-value<0.05). The peak anteroposterior and mediolateral joint contact forces were recorded for the keyboard at 15 cm and the monitor at zero angles (0.751 and 0.780 N/BW, respectively). The peak vertical joint contact force was observed for the keyboard at 15 cm and the monitor at 15° (0.310 N/BW).

Conclusion: The glenohumeral joint contact forces are minimum for the keyboard at 8 cm and the monitor at zero angles.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Shoulder.