Benefits

The physical exercise gained from cycling is generally linked with increased health and well-being. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is second only to tobacco smoking as a health risk in developed countries, and this is associated with many tens of billions of dollars of healthcare costs. The WHO’s report suggests that increasing physical activity is a public health ‘best buy’, and that cycling is a ‘highly suitable activity’ for this purpose. The charity Sustrans reports that investment in cycling provision can give a 20:1 return from health and other benefits. It has been estimated that, on average, approximately 20 life-years are gained from the health benefits of road bicycling for every life-year lost through injury.

Bicycles are often used by people seeking to improve their fitness and cardiovascular health. In this regard, cycling is especially helpful for those with arthritis of the lower limbs who are unable to pursue sports that cause impact to the knees and other joints. Since cycling can be used for the practical purpose of transportation, there can be less need for self-discipline to exercise.

Cycling while seated is a relatively non-weight bearing exercise that, like swimming, does little to promote bone density. Cycling up and out of the saddle, on the other hand, does a better job by transferring more of the rider’s body weight to the legs. However, excessive cycling while standing can cause knee damage. It used to be thought that cycling while standing was less energy efficient, but recent research has proven this not to be true. Other than air resistance, there is no wasted energy from cycling while standing if it is done correctly.

Cycling on a stationary cycle is frequently advocated as a suitable exercise for rehabilitation, particularly for lower limb injury, owing to the low impact which it has on the joints. In particular, cycling is commonly used within knee rehabilitation programs.

As a response to the increased global sedentarity and consequent overweight and obesity, one response that has been adopted by many organizations concerned with health and environment is the promotion of Active travel, which seeks to promote walking and cycling as safe and attractive alternatives to motorized transport. Given that many journeys are for relatively short distances, there is considerable scope to replace car use with walking or cycling, though in many setting this may require some infrastructure modification, particularly to attract the less experienced and confident.

Injuries

Cycling is seen by some to be an inherently high-risk, dangerous activity although use of appropriate safety equipment and obedience of road rules can reduce risk of serious injury. In the UK, fatality rates per mile or kilometre are slightly less than those for walking. In the US, bicycling fatality rates are less than 2/3 of those walking the same distance. For a child cyclist the rate per mile or kilometre travelled is around 55 times that for a child occupant of a car , while the fatality and serious injury rates ”per hour of travel” are just over double for cycling than for walking (owing to the reduced travel time), in the UK. It should be noted that calculated fatality rates based on distance for bicycling (as well as for walking) can have an exceptionally large margin of error, since there are generally no annual registrations or odometers required for bicycles (as there are with motor vehicles), and this means the distance traveled must be estimated.

Most cycle deaths result from a collision with a car or heavy goods vehicle, both motorist and cyclist having been found responsible for collisions However, a very high proportion of non-fatal injuries to cyclists do not involve any other person or vehicle.

A Danish study in 2000 concluded that “bicycling to work decreased risk of mortality in approximately 40% after multivariate adjustment, including leisure time physical activity”.

Injuries (to cyclists, from cycling) can be divided into two types:

* Physical trauma (extrinsic)

* Overuse (intrinsic).

Acute physical trauma includes injuries to the head and extremities resulting from falls and collisions. Since a large percentage of the collisions between motor and pedal vehicles occur at night, bicycle lighting is required for safety when bicycling at night.

The most common cycling overuse injury occurs in the knees, affecting cyclists at all levels. These are caused by many factors:

*Incorrect bicycle fit or adjustment, particularly the saddle.

*Incorrect adjustment of clipless pedals.

*Too many hills, or too many miles, too early in the training season.

*Poor training preparation for long touring rides.

*Selecting too high a gear. A lower gear for uphill climb protects the knees, even though your muscles are well able to handle a higher gear.

Excessive saddle height can cause posterior knee pain, while setting the saddle too low can cause pain in the anterior of the knee. An incorrectly fitted saddle may eventually lead to muscle imbalance. A 25 to 35 degree knee angle is recommended to avoid an overuse injury.

Overuse injuries, including chronic nerve damage at weight bearing locations, can occur as a result of repeatedly riding a bicycle for extended periods of time. Damage to the ulnar nerve in the palm, carpal tunnel in the wrist, the genitourinary tract or bicycle seat neuropathy may result from overuse. Recumbent bicycles are designed on different ergonomic principles and eliminate pressure from the saddle and handlebars, due to the relaxed riding position.

Note that overuse is a relative term, and capacity varies greatly between individuals. Someone starting out in cycling must be careful to increase length and frequency of cycling sessions slowly, starting for example at an hour or two per day, or a hundred miles or kilometers per week. Muscular pain is a normal by-product of the training process, but joint pain and numbness are early signs of overuse injury.

Cycling has been linked to sexual impotence due to pressure on the perineum from the seat, but fitting a proper sized seat prevents this effect. In extreme cases, Pudendal Nerve Entrapment can be a source of intractable perineal pain. Some cyclists with induced pudendal nerve pressure neuropathy gained relief from improvements in saddle position and riding techniques.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has investigated the potential health effects of prolonged bicycling in police bicycle patrol units, including the possibility that some bicycle saddles exert excessive pressure on the urogenital area of cyclists, restricting blood flow to the genitals. NIOSH is investigating whether saddles developed without protruding noses (which remove the pressure from the urogenital area) will alleviate any potential health problems.

A Spanish study of top triathletes found those who cover more than 186 miles (300& km) a week on their bikes have less than 4% normal looking sperm.

Despite rumors to the contrary, there is no scientific evidence linking cycling with testicular cancer.

Air pollution

One concern often expressed (both by non-cyclists and some cyclists) is the thought that riding in traffic exposes the cyclist to higher levels of air pollution, especially if he or she travels on or along busy roads. This has been shown to be untrue, as the pollutant and irritant count within cars is consistently higher, (presumably because of limited circulation of air within the car and due to the air intake being directly in the stream of other traffic).

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Cycling, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Personal Emergency Response Systems

Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS), or Telecare (UK term), are a particular sort of assistive technology that use electronic sensors connected to an alarm system to help caregivers manage risk and help vulnerable people stay independent at home longer. An example would be the systems being put in place for senior people such as fall detectors, thermometers (for hypothermia risk), flooding and unlit gas sensors (for people with mild dementia). Notably, these alerts can be customized to the particular person’s risks. When the alert is triggered, a message is sent to a caregiver or contact center who can respond appropriately.

Technology similar to PERS can also be used to act within a person’s home rather than just to respond to a detected crisis. Using one of the examples above, gas sensors for people with dementia can be used to trigger a device that turns off the gas and tells someone what has happened.

Designing for people with dementia is a good example of how the design of the interface of a piece of AT is critical to its usefulness. People with dementia or any other identified user group must be involved in the design process to make sure that the design is accessible and usable. In the example above, a voice message could be used to remind the person with dementia to turn off the gas himself, but whose voice should be used, and what should the message say? Questions like these must be answered through user consultation, involvement and evaluation.

Accessible computer input

Sitting at a desk wi

Alternatively, Assistive Technology may attempt to improve the ergonomics of the devices themselves:

* Ergonomic keyboards reduce the discomfort and strain of typing.

* Chorded keyboards have a handful of keys (one per digit per hand) to type by ‘chords’ which produce different letters and keys.

* Expanded keyboards with larger, more widely-spaced keys.

* Compact and miniature keyboards.

* Dvorak and other alternative layouts may offer more ergonomic layouts of the keys. There are also variants of Dvorak in which the most common keys are located at either the left or right side of the keyboard.

Input devices may be modified to make them easier to see and understand:

* Keyboards with lowercase keys

* Keyboards with big keys.

* Keyboards with less and big keys, or multifunctional keys, such us the special keyboard PiTech, with only five big rounded keys, which is used with a special software for writing

* Large print keyboard with high contrast colors (such as white on black, black on white, and black on ivory).

* Large print adhesive keyboard stickers in high contrast colors (such as white on black, black on white, and black on yellow).

* Embossed locator dots help find the ‘home’ keys, F and J, on the keyboard.

* Scroll wheels on mice remove the need to locate the scrolling interface on the computer screen.

* Footmouse – Foot-operated mouse.

More ambitiously, and quite crucially when keyboard or mouse prove unusable, AT can also replace the keyboard and mouse with alternative devices such as the LOMAK keyboard, trackballs, joysticks, graphics tablets, touchpads, touch screens, foot mice, a microphone with speech recognition software, sip-and-puff input, switch access, and vision-based input devices, such as eye trackers which allow the user to control the mouse with their eyes.

Software can also make input devices easier to use:

* Keyboard shortcuts and MouseKeys allow the user to substitute keyboarding for mouse actions. Macro recorders can greatly extend the range and sophistication of keyboard shortcuts.

* Sticky keys allows characters or commands to be typed without having to hold down a modifier key (Shift, Ctrl, Alt) while pressing a second key. Similarly, [http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/clicklock.aspx ClickLock] is a Microsoft Windows feature that remembers a mouse button is down so that items can be highlighted or dragged without holding the mouse button down throughout.

* Customization of mouse or mouse alternatives’ responsiveness to movement, double-clicking, and so forth.

* [http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/togglekeys.aspx ToggleKeys] is a feature of Microsoft Windows 95 onwards. A high sound is heard when the CAPS LOCK, SCROLL LOCK, or NUM LOCK key is switched on and a low sound is heard when any of those keys are switched off.

* Customization of pointer appearance, such as size, color and shape.

* Predictive text

* Spell checkers and grammar checkers

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

* Seating products that assist people to sit comfortably and safely (seating systems, cushions, therapeutic seats).

* Standing products to support people with disabilities in the standing position while maintaining/improving their health (standing frame, standing wheelchair, active stander).

* Walking products to aid people with disabilities who are able to walk or stand with assistance (canes, crutches, walkers, gait trainers).

* Advanced technology walking products to aid people with disabilities, such as paraplegia or cerebral palsy, who would not at all able to walk or stand (exoskeletons).

* Wheeled mobility products that enable people with reduced mobility to move freely indoors and outdoors (wheelchairs/scooters)

* Vehicles modified with Height adjustable suspension, to allow wheelchair entry to the vehicle

* Robot-aided rehabilitation is a sensory-motor rehabilitation technique based on the use of robots and mechatronic devices

Learning difficulties

* Age-appropriate software

* Cause and effect software

* Hand-eye co-ordination skills software

* Diagnostic assessment software

* Mind mapping software

* Study skills software

* Symbol-based software

* Text-to-speech

* Touch typing software

Mobility impairment

* Crutches, including assistive canes

* Walkers

* Wheelchairs

Visual impairment

Choice of appropriate hardware and software will depend on the user’s level of functional vision.

* RIAS has the potential to help both low vision and the blind navigate outside and indoors.

Hardware

* White canes

* Large monitors can be used with increased DPI for ease of electronic text reading

* Adjustable task lamp, using a fluorescent bulb, shines directly onto the paper and can be adjusted to suit.

* Bank note reader

* Copyholder holds printed material in near vertical position for easier reading and can be adjusted to suit.

* Closed circuit television (CCTV) or video magnifiers. Printed materials and objects are placed under a camera and the magnified image is displayed onto a screen.

* Modified cassette recorder. To record a lecture, own thoughts, ideas, notes etc.

* Desktop compact cassette dictation system. To allow audio cassette playback with the aid of a foot pedal.

* Fusers produce tactile materials, for example diagrams and maps, by applying heat to special swell paper.

* Scanner. A device used in conjunction with OCR software. The printed document is scanned and converted into electronic text, which can then be displayed on screen as recognizable text.

* Standalone reading aids integrate a scanner, optical character recognition (OCR) software, and speech software in a single machine. These function together without a separate PC.

* Refreshable Braille display. An electronic tactile device which is placed below the computer keyboard. A line of cells which correspond to Braille text move up and down to represent a line of text on the computer screen.

* Electronic Notetaker. A portable computer with a Braille or QWERTY keyboard and synthetic speech. Some models have an integrated Braille display.

* Braille embosser. Embosses Braille output from a computer by punching dots onto paper. It connects to a computer in the same way as a text printer.

* Perkins Brailler. To manually emboss Grade 1 or 2 Braille.

* Mountbatten Brailler. An electric braille writing machine.

Software

* Customization of graphical user interfaces to alter the colors and size of desktops, short-cut icons, menu bars and scroll bars.

* Screen magnifiers

* Screen readers

* Self-voicing applications

* Optical character recognition. Converts the printed word into text, via a scanner.

* Braille translation. Converts the printed word into Braille, which can then be embossed via a Braille embosser.

* Text-to-speech and Speech-to-text

* Spell checkers and Grammar checkers

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Augmentative and alternative communication is a well defined specialty within AT. It involves ways of communication that either enhance or replace verbal language. When combined with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) teaching methods, AAC has improved communication skills in children with Autism.

AAC devices vary widely with respect to their technological sophistication:

* Low-tech systems. Simple paper or object based systems, i.e. do not require a battery (e.g., Talking Mats, Dry Erase Boards, Clipboards, 3-Ring Binders, Manila File Folders, Photo Albums, Laminated PCS/Photographs, Highlight tape).

* Light-tech systems. Typically consisting of a digitized speech recorder with a touch-sensitive display pad and sometimes switch access. Lite-tech systems require a battery (e.g., Tape Recorder, Language Master, Overhead Projector, Timers, Calculators).

* High-tech systems. Computerized VOCAs that vary from single purpose appliance-like systems to multipurpose computer-based communication aids. Typically high-tech systems require training and ongoing support to operate the devices (e.g., Video Cameras, Computers and Adaptive Hardware, Complex Voice Output Devices).

Deafness and hearing loss

* Audiometer

* Fire alarm paging system

* Loop system (portable and fixed)

* Radio aids

* Telecommunications device for the deaf

* Teletext

* Video cassette recorders that can read and record subtitles (Closed Captioning).

* Vibrating fire alarm placed under pillow when asleep.

* Door bell lighting system.

Others

* Wakamaru provides companionship, reminds users to take medicine and calls for help if something is wrong.

* Telephone Reassurance: community based program that calls seniors at home ensuring their well-being.

* Cosmobot is part of a play therapy system designed to motivate children to participate in therapy.

* General User Interface for Disorders of Execution (GUIDE) is an interactive verbal prompting system that talks people with cognitive impairment through daily routine tasks.

”Claims”

Since children with autism process visual information easier than auditory information, when utilizing assistive technology claims that any time we use these devices with these children, we’re giving them information through their strongest processing area (visual). Therefore various types of technology from “low” tech to “high” tech, should be incorporated into every aspect of daily living in order to improve the functional capabilities of children with autism.

”Benefits”

Regarding comprehension skills, increasing comprehension of tasks/activities/situations is essential in addressing skill areas such as organization, attending, self help, following directions, following rules and modifying behavior. As a result, the child becomes more independent. The following “low” tech visual support strategies can be created and used to benefit and assist the child in increasing his comprehension skills and thus decreasing the occurrence of challenging behaviors.

Consistent daily use of an individualized visual schedule will increase a child’s organization skills and independent functioning throughout all aspects of his life and will ease transition through adulthood. There are numerous ways to present visual schedules for example an object schedule, 3-ring binder schedule, clipboard schedule, manila file folder schedules, and dry erase board schedules are all beneficial to increase a child’s organization skills and independent functioning.

The use of a weekly/monthly calendar at both home and school can provide the child with important information regarding up-coming events/activities, rather than relying on auditory information. When the child asks when a particular event will occur, he can easily be referred to the visual calendar. Use of a visual calendar can also be helpful in assisting the child to understand when regularly scheduled events may not occur.

”Outcomes”

In a pilot study, Researchers Lacava, Golan, Baron-Cohen, and Myles explored the use of assistive technology to teach emotion recognition to eight children with Autism and the results indicated that after intervention, participants improved on face and voice emotional recognition for basic and complex emotions that were in the software. As well as for complex voice emotional recognition for emotions not included in Mind Reading.

==Se also

* LexAble

Category:Assistive technology

Category:Disability

Category:Educational technology

ca:Tecnologia de recolzament

de:Hilfsmittel

et:Meditsiiniline abivahend

es:Tecnologías de apoyo

he:טכנולוגיה מסייעת

nl:Hulpmiddel voor gehandicapten

ja:福祉用具

no:Hjelpemiddel

pl:Technologie asystujące

pt:Tecnologia assistiva

ru:Технические средства реабилитации

ur:معاون طرزیات

zh:輔具
Adapted from the Wikipedia article Assistive technology, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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On their own, most RSIs will resolve spontaneously provided the area is first given enough rest when the RSI first begins. However, without such care, some RSIs have been known to persist for years, or have needed to be cured with operations.

The most often prescribed treatments for repetitive strain injuries are rest, exercise, braces and massage. A variety of medical products also are available to augment these therapies. Since the computer workstation is frequently blamed for RSIs, particularly of the hand and wrist, ergonomic adjustments of the workstation are often recommended.

Ergonomics

Modifications of posture and arm use (ergonomics) are often recommended.

Adaptive software

There are several kinds of software designed to help in Repetitive Strain Injury. Among them, there are speech recognition software, and break timers.

Break timers software reminds the user to pause frequently and perform exercises while working behind a computer.

There is also automated mouse-clicking software that has been developed, which can automate repetitive tasks in games and applications.

Adaptive hardware

Adaptive technology ranging from special keyboards, mouse replacements to pen tablet interfaces might help improve comfort.

Mouse

Switching to a much more ergonomic mouse, such as a roller mouse, vertical mouse or joystick, or switching from using a mouse to using a stylus pen with graphic tablet may provide relief, but in chronic RSI they may only result in moving the problem to a different area. Using a graphic tabl

Keyboards and keyboard-alternatives

Exotic keyboards by manufacturers such as Datahand, OrbiTouch, Maltron and Kinesis are available. Also one can use digital pens and voice recognition.

Medical Products

A number of medical treatments, including non-narcotic pain medications, braces, and therapy. Although some professionals consider these to be palliative, their widespread use and effectiveness is undeniable. (See ”Are Some RSI Cases Psychosomatic?” below)

Pain medications, particularly non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are most often used to eliminate pain. The major problem with such drug use with RSI’s is that the pain can be masked, and therefore the patient returns to the activities which strained the tissues in the first place before the tissues have had time to heal. So a balance must be struck where pain is reduced, yet not so much that the tissues will be reinjured with continued over-use.

Medical devices are available which help the strained tissues to heal faster. Several types of devices are available, and are classified as either passive or active devices. Passive devices generally immobilize the limb allowing the body to heal itself, while active devices enhance the body’s healing capacity. The Carpal Therapist is an active device designed to provide deep tissue massage and myofascial manipulation. It is an automated (electromechanical) therapeutic massager for injured soft tissues. The Flextend product is a passive device designed to provide some resistance to wrist movement. This encourages strengthening of the injured soft tissues.

Braces, particularly wrist braces, are by far the most often used products for RSIs. They stabilize the hand and allow healing to occur without further stressing the joint. Braces are available in two basic varieties; soft (i.e., nylon fabric) and hard shell.

Exercise

Exercise decreases the risk of developing RSI.

* Doctors sometimes recommend that RSI sufferers engage in specific strengthening exercises, for example to improve posture.

* In light of the fact that a lifestyle that involves sitting at a computer for extended periods of time increases the probability that an individual will develop excessive kyphosis, theoretically the same exercises that are prescribed for thoracic outlet syndrome or kyphotic postural correction would benefit an RSI sufferer.

Resume Normal Activities Despite the Pain?

Some researchers believe that, for the most difficult chronic RSI cases, the pain itself becomes less of a problem than the disruption to the patient’s life caused by

* avoidance of pain-causing activities

* massive investment of time into increasingly futile attempts at treatment

They claim greater success from teaching patients psychological strategies for accepting the pain as an ongoing fact of life, enabling them to cautiously resume many day-to-day activities and focus on aspects of life other than RSI.

Others disagree, emphasizing the importance of rest in achieving recovery. For instance, it has been claimed that recovery can take up to 8 months without performing activities that might exacerbate the symptoms, and that the affected joint should never be put under severe or constant stress.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Repetitive strain injury, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Ergonomics in the workplace is a very important issue. Office chairs are increasingly being designed with ergonomics in mind, helping to increase back and neck support as well as improving posture by working to prevent slouching. Many office employees experience back pain because they are required sit in a poorly designed chair for extended periods of time. Spending significant time in a chair that does not give proper attention to ergonomics will increase stress in the spine, neck, shoulders, arms, and even the legs. Getting a chair that is not ergonomically friendly could end up aggravating any existing conditions that may be present.

Any ergonomic chair selected should be at least an inch wider on both sides than the hips or thighs of the person it is intended for. In order to provide maximum comfort and equal weight distribution, the seat pan on the chair should be contoured. Additionally, the owner’s back should arch against the chair, as this will help to prevent slumping.

An invaluable feature in ergonomic office chairs is an adjustable height mechanism, as this allows different people to use the same chairs. This can be great for busy office meeting rooms or conference rooms. Most modern office chairs that include an adjustable height mechanism also allow for the fine-tuning of the back of the chair in most or all directions. If the chair doesn’t have a back rest, a pillow or cushion can be used to support the lower back.

All things considered, ergonomic office chairs are vital for those who are required to be at the

Susan Miller -

Author Bio

Susan Miller enjoys writing for several popular web sites, on product tips and shopping tips issues.

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The study of how to adapt man to a machine or environment is a way that is not stressful is called workplace ergonomics. A lot of individuals think that workplace ergonomics has something to do with computer. Yes it has but it is not just the focus. It also looks into the many causes of job- related pain.

Here, the basic concept of carpal tunnel ergonomics will be discussed in order for it to be applied. It is to keep those energy levels up then lessen the twinge and throb.

As a recap, the carpal tunnel is an area in the wrist and palm where the nerves and tendons of your forearm and hand pass. When this area is aggravated, it swells, putting pressure on the nerves thus, causing pain. Most people feel this pain at night when they sleep with bent wrists or awkward positions for a long time. It can even awake them at the middle of the night because of those pins and needles tingling sensations. When they are fully up, many people ignore the pain until permanent nerve damage occurs.

To prevent the eventual intense pain, here are simple carpal tunnel ergonomics’ tips. These will be of great help to extend the comfort stage while working.

You can buy gel pads at almost everywhere. This for the keyboards and mouse you use everyday in the office. Wrap all vibrating tools with paddings. Most of the hardware stores have it for a few bucks a roll. Adjust your chair to a position where your wrists are straight on the keyboard. Wrong posture starts the trigger for an eventual carpal tunnel syndrome. Even if you have a deadline to beat, it

Every so often, perform wrist exercises such as limbering and curls. You can tie a gallon of water to a towel, roll it over and grasp it tightly. This is a good alternative if you do not have any dumbbell.

Carpal tunnel ergonomics also looks into how to stop shoulder pains. There are times that the ache brought about by the carpal tunnel syndrome will reach to the arms and towards the upper back.

Here is a carpal tunnel ergonomics exercise: put your thumbs down and arms out straight. Lean forward a bit and bring your pinkies up high and back far. Hold this for a five counts and release a few times.

Jada Slover

Author Bio

Learn about prevent carpal tunnel and carpal tunnel surgery at the Carpal Tunnel Pain site.

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You know that many of your usual postures at your desk, while driving, and how you use your computer and laptop can all be aspects of ergonomics that affect your back. Are you exercising in the best way to offer your body the optimum benefits that exercise should bring? Or are you causing unnecessary pain by exercising improperly?

Think about your posture when you are riding a bicycle. Are you mimicking the same posture on your bike while exercising that you use when you are hunched over the desk? The best thing you can do for your body is to sit up straight no matter what the activity. It is just as important for the proper posture when you are biking as when you are sitting at your desk or computer or participating in an exercise class.

Another way you can be hurting yourself when you are trying to stay fit is weight lifting. You can do a lot of damage to your back and other muscles if you are not in the proper position to lift the amount of weight you are attempting. Many people cause themselves serious injuries when they attempt to lift weights using improper techniques.

What You Can Do

To experience the maximum benefits from your exercise routine, is to find out the proper positioning your body should be in when you do specific exercises. If you are taking an exercise class, listen carefully to the instructors directions on how to do the exercise correctly. A big no-no when exercising is not warming up before you begin. You cannot allow cold muscles to exercise at a rapid rate and not expect to experience some type of injury.

If you want to lift weights, speak to someone on staff at a local gym to teach you the proper positioning so you achieve optimum benefits without injury. You can also find out all you need to know when you research online. Ergonomics is one of the most important aspects when you are exercising and it is important to your health and well being that you know the right way to do it.

Correct Positioning

As you listen to your instructor’s directions, you will know immediately if you are doing the exercise correctly. You should never feel strain or pain in any position you are in when you are exercising. You should always keep in mind your physical capabilities. It is not in your best interests to try and lift large amounts of weight when you are just beginning or try difficult manuevers.

If you can, study positions for specific exercises on the internet. The more you are aware of your body’s limitations, the more benefits you will enjoy. The correct position can make the difference between a body that looks good and a body that is in pain. The internet can offer you so much information to ensure you are using your body to its best advantage. You can also learn more about ergonomics when you search online. You may find that you can change just a few things in your life to give you relief from everyday aches and pains you may be experiencing.

Jim Brown

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James Brown writes about <a href="hArmrest”>http://www.ergo-items.com/armSupport.htm”>Armrest promotion code, Sony Style coupon and jr.com coupon

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By: Jane Wyvern

The exploration of ways to help humans adapt to machines or an environment in such a way that won’t be stressful is known as workplace ergonomics. Many people have the notion that workplace ergonomics is only something to do with computers. Not exactly. Computers aren’t the sole focus. Ergonomics also explores the many different causes of pain related to the workplace environment.

The basic concepts behind carpal tunnel ergonomics are discussed here to give people a better idea of how they can be applied. They have been designed to boost energy levels and reduce the effects of the twinge and throb.

Just to be clear, the carpal tunnel is found in both the palm and wrist where the forearm and hand’s tendons and nerves pass. If this area becomes aggravated, it will begin to swell, applying pressure to the nerves, and causing pain. The majority of people suffer this kind of pain when they’ve slept a night in an awkward position or with bent wrists. It’s even sometimes enough to wake people up in mid-slumber because they feel the tingling sensation of pins and needles. Once they wake up, a lot of people simply ignore the pain, setting themselves up for permanent damage to their nerves.

If you want to avoid the increased pain that can result, take a look at these tips. They are simple hints that take into account carpal tunnel ergonomics. They’ll be a big help in improving your comfort level while working.

* Gel pads are available almost anywhere. Get these for the mouse and keyboard you’re using constantly at the office.

* Make sure you wrap padding around all vibrating tools. You can find it at most hardware stores for a few dollars.

* Position your chair in such a way that your wrists are extended over the keyboard straight. With the wrong posture, you can start to develop carpal tunnel syndrome eventually.

* It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to make a tight deadline: take breaks. If you’re so rushed that you can’t remember to do so, get a software program that will remind you with a pop-up on your screen. .

* You can use wrist braces to make sure your wrists stay straight and avoid bending or flexing. The effectiveness of splints and supports has been proven. You can get them at medical supply houses without a prescription from a doctor.

* Once in awhile, do a few wrist exercises like curls and limbering. You can also tie a towel around a gallon of water, turn it over, and hold it tightly. It’s a good option if you don’t own any dumbbells.

There’s also an area of carpal tunnel ergonomics that tries to figure out how to alleviate shoulder pain. Sometimes the ache from carpal tunnel syndrome can reach up to the upper back and arms.

Now, try this exercise: stretch out your arms straight with your thumbs down. Start leaning forward a little and lift your pinkies up high and far back. Keep this position for a count of five, and relax several times.

Jane Wyvern

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The importance of ergonomics and sitting correctly in your office chair is becoming more and more important as the world is working longer hours sitting in front of the computer. With more and more repetitive motion injuries being reported every month, it is no wonder. Your office chair and how you use your workstation is critical to long-term health with good ergonomics helping you on the road to staying healthy and productive at your job.

Sit Back in Your Chair, No Slouching:

Good Ergonomic Chairs are designed for sitting for long periods of time, not to be sat upon like a stool. If you are able to sit you?re your spine straight and remember to slightly recline throughout the day, you will greatly reduce your risk of long-term injury. The slightly reclined position is now considered the desired ergonomic position to hold in your task office chair and the best position for overall body health. Make sure your office chair has a tilt mechanism, preferably with tension adjustment.

Take frequent breaks and rest periods from Sitting in Your Office Chair:

Take frequent breaks and make sure to stretch and change positions throughout the workday. Change up the tasks you are performing throughout the day and break up the different duties. For example, spend 30 minutes doing data entry at the computer and then spend 20 doing filing or reading and then go back and finish your data entry if necessary.

The point of this example is to show that when tasks are broken up into manageable sections, one task is not performed for long periods

Keep Your Computer Monitor at the Right Height for your Chair:

Your monitor should be positioned with your eyes centered on the monitor itself and at the correct distance away from your eyes per your operating manual for your type of monitor. When placing your eyes at the right position in the center of your monitor, it alleviates the worry that too much strain will be put upon your neck and shoulders from having to constantly turn to see and keeps your head centered over your spinal column, a great office chair position.

Keep your Arms and Wrists Relaxed and Your Keyboard Positioned Right:

The arms on your chair are there for a reason, make sure they are set at the proper height and that your wrists and arms are kept at a straight angle when typing. Most of the time this requires some adjustment of your chair or desk. When typing, your wrist should be relaxed and straight, make sure your keyboard is at the right height to make this possible. Usually adjusting your office chair height will do the trick. Using a keyboard tray platform with differing heights or even an adjustable workstation can really help.

Keep your Accessories Within Reach of Your Chair:

When sitting in your office chair, it can take some people a lot of effort and stretching just to get themselves that pen they need for notes. Make sure that your office chair does not have to move every time you need to reach a pen or stapler. Keeping things within reach still requires movement, but also allows the person to keep good ergonomic position instead of constantly trying to adjust themselves back into the right reclining position.

Get Educated About Office Chair Ergonomics:

Knowing the symptoms of repetitive stress injuries caused from overuse and misuse of keyboards and the mouse can bring them to your attention when they first start to appear. Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel are best if caught soon, before they have had a chance to really set in. Like most illnesses, when caught early, treatment is much easier and hardly ever requires surgery. In fact, most of these types of injuries can be treated and repaired easily just by using how to properly use your workspace and practicing good ergonomics every day in your office chair.

Amy Pedersen

Author Bio

Amy Pedersen is penned as a featured Ergonomic Insider. Having worked in the ergonomics and office industry over 10 years now, she is co-founder of Sit On This Ergonomics, operating a number of Ergonomic Sites dedicated to office chairs and the practice of good workplace ergonomics.
Office Chairs and Furniture:

http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

Ergonomics Detailed:

http://stores.ebay.com/Sit-On-This-Ergonomics/Ergonomic-Positioning-Explained.html

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When people think about the science of ergonomics, they often think of office furniture, like desks, chairs and computer keyboards. Ergonomics has taken a fresh turn in new industries. One such industry that is researching the benefits of ergonomics is the wine industry.

Those who work in the wine industry spend long hours lifting, carrying, bending and grasping tubs as well as trying to maneuver said tubs into a location that is convenient while they do their picking. Many agricultural accidents happen, and grape growers in the wine industry are taking a long hard look at what ergonomics can offer their employees.

Simple Changes

A simple change that is improving the lot of many farm workers is a change in the size of the tub they use for picking. Most owners want to reduce the number of agricultural accidents and ergonomics is proving to be the perfect solution to many of these problems. It is said that many factors involving ergonomics can reduce the number of incidents that farm workers experience.

The new tubs that are being introduced are at least ten pounds less than the old tubs. This means that worker can carry and lift a load that is lighter, thus ensuring that injuries to their backs are minimized. When you reduce the load by only ten pounds, it helps to keep the workers healthier which benefits the farmer in the long run.

Consequences of Picking

It has been reported that most farm workers complain of back pain. This is most apparent around the middle of the picking season. When the weight of the tub was decreased, the

Research shows that almost half of the injuries experienced are due to agricultural injuries that are non-fatal and involve sprains. Forty percent of the strains were related to back injuries. These injuries to workers have spurred the grape growing industry to find new ways of picking that are just as efficient if not more so, and develop equipment that will aid their workers which in turn increases productivity on many levels.

What Can Be Done

Those who are involved in agricultural pursuits and not just grape growing need to address the needs of workers, not just for the benefit of their employees, but to increase the productivity levels too. When a business owner studies the science of ergonomics that has to do with their particular venue, they can increase the overall health of employees and make more money while they are doing it.

Ergonomics is not just something that benefits owners; it benefits workers and government agencies as well. If workers are experiencing less injuries and illness, insurance rates can go down and everyone benefits from this. It is well worth the business owners while to research and explore all modes of ergonomics. It can end up costing much less in many areas of your business and can increase your profits considerably.

Author Bio

James Brown writes about Ergo Items, Armrest and Laptops

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In accordance with 12 airlines, OSHA and National Safety Council (NSC), an ergonomics alliance was created approximately four years ago with an agreement for baggage handlers. Ed Foulke, administrator of OSHA, signed this renewal on June 14th as one of its first Alliance Program agreements in advancing workplace health conditions and safety programs.

Ed Foulke once said that ?This Alliance? was in hopes that they would have a long-term business relationship with the airline industry. His ultimate goal was to gather ideas to help to improve the workplace environment with a special emphasis on the aviation industry. The group?s eagerness to continue this relationship demonstrates just how much we can do together for the safety of employees.?

In addition to the first alliance program agreement, Airline Industry Alliance and OSHA have completed an assortment of other projects. ?A Guide to Packing for Business and Personal Travel? pamphlet, as well as the ?Ergonomics for Baggage Handlers Training Manual? are among two of the many programs achieved. OSHA and the Alliance contributors have updated a web-based e-Tool for training on Baggage Handling and are in the process of working on a training manual for the ergonomics e-Tool. Airline Industry is a Safety and Health Topics page operating on OSHA?s website.

This renewal encourages continued health and safety focus in various subjects of ergonomics, especially when it relates to the handling of checked baggage by passengers. Contributors will also form a seminar and disseminate details to intere

The Alliance consists of the following 12 airlines: AirTran Airways, US Airways, United Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Midwest Airlines, ATA Airlines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. This is all, of course, in addition to NSC?s International Air Transport Section and OSHA.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are very much responsible for generating a healthy and safe workplace for all employees. The role of OSHA is to ascertain the health and safety of working men and women in America by enforcing and setting certain standards; supplying outreach, education and training; encouraging the continued improvement process in the workplace health and safety, and establishing partnerships. Other corporations and business interest groups have already taken notice and are currently working on programs to foster ergonomics in the workplace. http://www.osha.gov offers more information regarding this Alliance Program.

Leon Groom -

Author Bio

Leon Groom writes about Ergonomic mouse and keyboards, Easywing Armrest and Ergonomic office Equipment

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