ABSTRACT
When dcsigning computer workstations in times of demographic change, it i s especially important to satisfy the ergonomic requirements of eldcrly employees . Large touch screcns seem to have ergonomic benefits for many work tasks . However, when using a touch screen, the muscles of thc shoulder, upper arm, forearm and index finger arc repetitively activated which is especially critical for elderly users . In an empirical study a sample of 1 1 younger and 1 1 older subjects were tested in a pointing task on a large format touch screcn mockup. Body posturcs, reaching areas, and subjcctive comfort were measured at three tilt anglcs of thc mockup surface (0°, 8° , 1 6°) . The AnyBody Modeling System was used for a biomechanical investigation. A typical body posture when pointing to a screen obj ect in the upper left comer was used to evaluate the muscular strain at different
8 1 1
tilt angles. The subjective comfort rating indicatcs a preferred tilt angle of 1 6° . However, the biomeehanieal model indicates lowest muscular strain at 8° .
