The impact of age on computer input device use: Psychophysical and physiological measures

This study examined the effects of aging on performance and preferences for two computer pointing devices (e.g. mouse and trackball). Participants mad e simple point-and-click and click-and-drag movements to targets of varying distance (96 and 192 mm) and widths (3, 6 and 12 mm). The results show tha t older adults (mean age = 70) moved more slowly than younger adults (mean age = 32), particularly for distant targets, yet their movements were less variable. No age differences were found in movement time or variable error between the two devices. EMG (RMS) recordings from the forearm flexor and e xtensor muscles showed no age related differences in between mouse and trac kball. However, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) indicated that older ad ults perceived greater levels of exertion than younger adults when using th e mouse during click-and-drag tasks. Given the reduced grip and pinch force of older adults, manipulation of the mouse and trackball required a greate r percentage of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) compared to young er adults. In addition, the mouse requires a larger range of motion than th e trackball. These findings in conjunction with the RPE results imply that the trackball may confer greater benefit for the older computer user.