Abstract
Mobile computing devices are often designed with a one-size-fits-all approach, and consumers purchase devices based off of technical specifications rather than whether the devices fit them. Female gender is associated with higher risks of upper extremity repetitive injury, which may be caused by the generally smaller anthropometry of women (Cote, 2011; Won, Johnson, Punnett, & Dennerlein, 2009). This paper explores two mobile technologies’ effects on forearm muscle activity, performance, and self-reported experience within each gender for two recent laboratory experiments. A typing study with four short travel keyboards showed that female participants are more affected by different key switch designs than male participants. A touchscreen thumb swiping study revealed that male and female participants were similarly affected by tablet size, swipe location, and swipe direction. These results demonstrate the need to include both genders in usability testing for mobile technology and to consider individual differences when designing technologies.