User Manual

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Physical forces continuously interact with our bodies. We may think that only
high-impact forces, such as car crashes, are likely to injure our bodies. However, low-
impact forces may also result in injuries, discomfort, and fatigue if they are repeated
or experienced over long periods of time.
Some types of low-impact forces include:
Dynamic force: A force that you exert through movement, such as pressing the keys
while typing or clicking the mouse buttons.
Static force: A force that you maintain for a period of time, such as holding your
mouse or cradling the phone.
Contact force: A force that occurs when you rest on an edge or hard surface, such
as resting your wrists on the edge of your desk.
To reduce the effects of low-impact forces on your body, try the
following:
● Type with a light touch, keeping your hands and ngers relaxed, because it takes
little effort to activate keyboard keys.
● Use a light touch when clicking a mouse button or when using a joystick or other
gaming controller.
● Hold the mouse with a relaxed hand and
do not grip the mouse tightly.
● Avoid resting your palms or wrists on
any type of surface while typing (see
detail
7
). The palm rest, if provided,
should only be used during breaks from
typing.
● Relax your arms and hands when you are not
typing or using your mouse. Do not rest your
arms and hands on edges, such as the edge of
your desk.
● Adjust your chair so the seat does not press
into the back of your knees (see detail
8
).
Take Breaks
Taking breaks can help your body recover from any activity and may help you avoid
MSDs. The length and frequency of breaks that are right for you depend on the type
of work you are doing. Stopping the activity and relaxing is one way to take a break,
but there are other ways, also. For example, just changing tasks - perhaps from
sitting while typing to standing while talking on the phone can help some muscles
relax while others remain productive.
To vary your daily activities and to work productively, try the
following:
● Plan your work and play so that you are not doing the same thing for extended
periods of time (such as performing the same activity or using the same part of
your body).
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