Relation between mouse button click duration and muscle contraction time.

Contraction and half relaxation times are important temporal measures of the physiological state of the muscle. We hypothesize that mouse button click durations may mirror muscle twitch contraction times (contraction time + half relaxation time). When comparing muscle twitch contraction times and mouse button-click durations between children, adult females and adult males only small differences in muscle twitch contraction times were observed across these groups whereas large differences in mouse button click durations were measured. Currently, computer mice are designed using a 'one size fits all' approach and the results indicate that computer mouse button activation force has different effects on children, adult females and adult males, thus pointing towards effects of device design on computer mouse operation. The results indicate that it may be possible to evaluate the appropriateness of input device activation forces for different statured users by seeking activation forces where the mouse button-click durations approximate and approach the durations of involuntary muscle twitches.