THE EVALUATION OF MUSCLE ACTIVITIES DURING USE OF A BALLPOINT PEN BY USING APDF ANALYSIS

Abstract

Measurement of EMG has been used to evaluate muscle activity during use of a ballpoint pen. Evaluation by the usual method is not suitable because muscle activity during use of a ballpoint pen is a low-impact and intermittent task. Thus, evaluating muscle activity using amplitude probability distribution function (APDF) analysis is more suitable than the usual method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activity during use of a ballpoint pen by using APDF analysis. Using the usual method and APDF analysis we evaluated muscle activity during use of a ballpoint pen. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in muscle activity with evaluation by the usual method In evaluation using APDF analysis, however, differences in the ballpoint pen affected the flexor pollicis brevis muscle. In addition we were able to clarify the effect of writing on muscle activity.