Print Email Facebook Twitter New Product Ideas to Support Macro Breaks in Computer Work Title New Product Ideas to Support Macro Breaks in Computer Work Author Dekker, M.C. Van Lochem, A.J. Molenbroek, J.F.M. Faculty Industrial Design Engineering Department Industrial Design Date 2015-02-24 Abstract A healthy work-to-rest ratio during computer work can be an important part of successful preventive workrelated upper limb disorders (WRULD) intervention. Existing break software applications designed to realise such a work-to-rest ratio often possess product features that limit their functionality. Most applications focus on physical relaxation by implementing (micro) breaks into computer work time. Through the emphasis on break time, these applications give the impression that there is no productivity, possibly strengthened by the applications themselves that often visualise the remainder of the break as a slowly decreasing time bar. Moreover, application features such as blocking input devices may counteract cognitive relaxation of computer workers. As imposed physical breaks can be cognitively stressful, especially when deadlines loom, combining physical and cognitive relaxation is a challenge. Actually, research shows that, instead of micro breaks, macro breaks need more attention. It is worthwhile to think of new products for both forms of relaxation within this time span. An idea for a possible product innovation is tested with a small sample and is presented here: a new software application that shows customisable video content during macro breaks. Subject cognitive relaxationcomputer workmacro breaksproduct innovationrepetitive strain injuries (RSI)workrelated upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (WRUEMD)work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD)work-to-rest ratioOA-Fund TU Delft To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:26d716b9-5546-4cba-b78f-62a146c4c1b1 DOI https://doi.org/10.2174/1875934301508010013 Publisher Bentham Open ISSN 1875-9343 Source Ergonomics Open Journal, 8, 2015 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2015 The Author(s)This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. Files PDF Dekker_2015.pdf 800.41 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:26d716b9-5546-4cba-b78f-62a146c4c1b1/datastream/OBJ/view