Neutral or Negatively Inclined Keyboards
What are Neutral or Negatively Inclined Keyboards?
A Neutral Keyboard is a keyboard which when examining it
from the side has a neutral inclination.
This means that the tops of the keycaps on the bottom row
(containing the Space Bar) are at the same elevation
as the keycap tops of the Function
Row. A Negatively Inclined Keyboard
is a keyboard which when examining it from the side has a negative
inclination. This means that the tops of the
keycaps on the bottom row (containing the Space Bar) are at
a higher elevation than the keycap tops of
the Function
Row.
The vast majority of
keyboards commonly available when
examined from the side have a positive inclination.
This means that the tops of the keycaps on the bottom row
(containing the Space Bar) are at a lower elevation
than the keycap tops of the Function
Row.
What are the Ergonomic Benefits of an
Neutral or Negatively Inclined Keyboard?
Neutral and Negatively Inclined
Keyboards help to reduce the issue of Wrist
Extension when using conventional keyboards.
This allows the fingertips to be at the same height as the
palms of the hands on Neutral Keyboards (or lower on
Negatively Inclined Keyboards), preventing both Finger
Extension and associated Wrist
Extension.
What are Potential Concerns when Considering a Neutral or
Negatively Inclined Keyboard?
There are no significant concerns to be considered other than
ensuring that the workstation does not include a
Wrist
Rest which is higher than the plane of the keyboard.
This could create a compression point which would put pressure
on the underside of the wrist, which could contribute to many
risk factors.
For What Types of Tasks / Users are Neutral or Negatively Inclined Keyboards Suitable?
All types of users regardless of task or level of keyboarding
skill are suitable potential users of
Neutral
or Negatively Inclined Keyboards.
What Physical Injuries or Conditions Typically Benefit from Neutral or Negatively Inclined Keyboards?
Neutral or Negatively Inclined Keyboards
can be of benefit to a wide variety of users including
individuals with wrist conditions such as
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome and
Guyon's
Canal Syndrome. As they assist with reducing
Wrist
Extension, they also typically benefit individuals with
Lateral
Epicondylitis.
As they also reduce the potential for a 'pinch point' at the
keyboard, they are of potential benefit to individuals with
Cubital
Tunnel Syndrome.
