The Effect of Age on Computer Input Device Use: Performance and Ratings of Perceived Exertion

Alex Chaparro; Michael Bohan; Deborah S. Scarlett; Jeffrey Fernandez; Sang D. Choi

The Effect of Age on Computer Input Device Use: Performance and Ratings of Perceived Exertion

Alex Chaparro, Michael Bohan, Deborah S. Scarlett, Jeffrey Fernandez, Sang D. Choi

Wichita State University

Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation

Abstract

Age-related declines in sensory-motor and musculoskeletal systems may interfere with the use of computer pointing devices by older adults. This experiment compared older and younger adults’ ability to select onscreen targets using a mouse and two trackball designs (finger-ball vs. thumb-ball). Analysis of throughput values indicated that the mouse was superior to either trackball design, which supported equivalent levels of performance. For older computer users, the thumb-ball was associated with higher levels of perceived exertion. The results suggest the mouse may be a better input device but the finger-ball may represent a viable alternative for elderly with a reduced range of motion of the wrist.

Original language	American English
State	Published - Apr 1999
Externally published	Yes
Event	SAE General, Corporate and Regional Aviation Meeting and Exposition - Wichita. KS Duration: Apr 1 1999 → …

Conference

Conference	SAE General, Corporate and Regional Aviation Meeting and Exposition
Period	4/1/99 → …

Keywords

elderly
aging
computer input device
perceived exertion
sensory-motor skills

Disciplines

Computer Engineering
Psychology of Movement
Social and Behavioral Sciences

Cite this

@conference{3d72304a90c9418184ebafdae9256cfc,

title = "The Effect of Age on Computer Input Device Use: Performance and Ratings of Perceived Exertion",

abstract = " Age-related declines in sensory-motor and musculoskeletal systems may interfere with the use of computer pointing devices by older adults. This experiment compared older and younger adults{\textquoteright} ability to select onscreen targets using a mouse and two trackball designs (finger-ball vs. thumb-ball). Analysis of throughput values indicated that the mouse was superior to either trackball design, which supported equivalent levels of performance. For older computer users, the thumb-ball was associated with higher levels of perceived exertion. The results suggest the mouse may be a better input device but the finger-ball may represent a viable alternative for elderly with a reduced range of motion of the wrist.",

keywords = "elderly, aging, computer input device, perceived exertion, sensory-motor skills",

author = "Alex Chaparro and Michael Bohan and Scarlett, {Deborah S.} and Jeffrey Fernandez and Choi, {Sang D.}",

year = "1999",

month = apr,

language = "American English",

note = "SAE General, Corporate and Regional Aviation Meeting and Exposition ; Conference date: 01-04-1999",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - The Effect of Age on Computer Input Device Use: Performance and Ratings of Perceived Exertion

AU - Chaparro, Alex

AU - Bohan, Michael

AU - Scarlett, Deborah S.

AU - Fernandez, Jeffrey

AU - Choi, Sang D.

PY - 1999/4

Y1 - 1999/4

N2 - Age-related declines in sensory-motor and musculoskeletal systems may interfere with the use of computer pointing devices by older adults. This experiment compared older and younger adults’ ability to select onscreen targets using a mouse and two trackball designs (finger-ball vs. thumb-ball). Analysis of throughput values indicated that the mouse was superior to either trackball design, which supported equivalent levels of performance. For older computer users, the thumb-ball was associated with higher levels of perceived exertion. The results suggest the mouse may be a better input device but the finger-ball may represent a viable alternative for elderly with a reduced range of motion of the wrist.

AB - Age-related declines in sensory-motor and musculoskeletal systems may interfere with the use of computer pointing devices by older adults. This experiment compared older and younger adults’ ability to select onscreen targets using a mouse and two trackball designs (finger-ball vs. thumb-ball). Analysis of throughput values indicated that the mouse was superior to either trackball design, which supported equivalent levels of performance. For older computer users, the thumb-ball was associated with higher levels of perceived exertion. The results suggest the mouse may be a better input device but the finger-ball may represent a viable alternative for elderly with a reduced range of motion of the wrist.

KW - elderly

KW - aging

KW - computer input device

KW - perceived exertion

KW - sensory-motor skills

M3 - Presentation

T2 - SAE General, Corporate and Regional Aviation Meeting and Exposition

Y2 - 1 April 1999

ER -