{"id":6794,"date":"2016-08-18T09:18:57","date_gmt":"2016-08-18T15:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.daskeyboard.com\/blog\/?p=6794"},"modified":"2019-05-17T09:45:20","modified_gmt":"2019-05-17T15:45:20","slug":"6-reasons-you-shouldnt-buy-into-the-ergonomic-keyboard-hype","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daskeyboard.com\/blog\/6-reasons-you-shouldnt-buy-into-the-ergonomic-keyboard-hype\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons You Shouldn\u2019t Buy Into the Ergonomic Keyboard Hype"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ergonomic\"<\/p>\n

In recent years, ergonomic keyboards have been all the rage. The general idea is that ergonomic keyboards are more comfortable to use, lessen muscle strain while typing, and possibly reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Yet, these claims are inflated. Before shelling out additional cash or more on an ergonomic keyboard, you should be aware of recent research suggesting that the benefits of ergonomic keyboards are outright untrue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the top six reasons why you shouldn\u2019t waste money on an ergonomic keyboard:<\/p>\n

1. Ergonomic keyboards don\u2019t actually protect against injury, or help users recover from typing-related injuries.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The big selling point of ergonomic keyboards is that they prevent typing injuries and are useful to people who already have typing-related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. However, academic research has demonstrated that this is not actually the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nancy Baker is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, holding a PhD in therapeutic studies. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health funded Baker\u2019s research. She conducted <\/span>an experiment<\/span><\/a> with 77 subjects, all of whom suffered injuries related to typing. Their injuries included problem with hands, wrists, necks, and\/or backs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using special technology, Baker videotaped participants typing. Participants also filled out weekly surveys rating their pain levels. About half of participants used an ergonomic keyboard, while the other half used a standard keyboard.<\/span><\/p>\n

The somewhat surprising finding was that using an ergonomic keyboard had no effect on the pain level of participants. About 80% of participants were pain-free after two months. But that was true of both groups of participants\u2014meaning that the extra expense of ergonomic keyboards just isn\u2019t worth it. While many study participants were surprised by the findings, their meaning is quite clear.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, Baker suggests that keyboards marketed as ergonomic keyboards should be called \u201calternative\u201d keyboards rather than \u201cergonomic.\u201d Experts in the field generally agree that \u201cergonomic\u201d devices have been specifically fitted to individual users. One-size-fits-all \u201cergonomic\u201d keyboards don\u2019t fit the bill.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for the claim that ergonomic keyboards prevent injuries, there is no clear evidence to support that claim. A lot of the research extolling the benefits of ergonomic keyboards was conducted by manufacturers of those keyboards, who have a clear, vested interest in promoting their products.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Ergonomic keyboards are not intuitive to use for experienced typists.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Most ergonomic keyboards are split down the middle, oftentimes with separated sections for numbers and function keys. This design requires most people to completely reconfigure the typing style they\u2019ve already learned.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next time you type something up, pay attention to how you\u2019re typing. Chances are that you\u2019re moving both hands all over the keyboard, unconsciously making calculations about how best to expend your movements. Most programs designed to teach typing will suggest that users do just that. For example, you may use your left hand to press the Y key, or your right hand to press the V key.<\/span><\/p>\n

But with ergonomic keyboards, only one hand can access each half of the keyboard. This will require typists to completely alter their natural typing stance, slowing them down considerably. In many ways, ergonomic keyboards actually require users to expend more energy to do the same work.<\/span><\/p>\n