Although often thought of as a low-risk endeavor, the business of academe is not without its own health risks. If the emotional stress of keeping up on schoolwork isn’t enough, hours spent in front of a computer researching and completing assignments can also take a physical toll.

Complications such as neck and eye strain, back problems, shoulder pain, tennis elbow/tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome can all result from using computer equipment that does not allow your body to move naturally.

To help address this issue, Temple has launched a pilot program to introduce ergonomic computer equipment and furniture to students, faculty and staff.

“Project Ergo” has installed about 100 ergonomic computer accessories such as keyboards, mice, arm rests and large monitors in the TECH Center. Students, faculty and staff can use the devices through the end of the academic year and provide feedback on the pieces’ popularity, as well as how well it works.

“We do a really good job of making sure that students have access to the latest equipment and state-of-the-art technology,” said Karen Latimer, student services coordinator for assistive technology in the Office Disability Resources and Services, who is overseeing the pilot program. “What we haven’t done a good job at is making sure they’re accessing it in a healthy way — making sure they can have proper positioning, that they’re aware of the long-term dangers of computer use and that they’re practicing healthy computing.”

Latimer said one of the goals of the project is to create awareness about the importance of having good body mechanics while using computers. She said that many of the ergonomic pieces being put into use are intended to open up users’ arms and chest and create 90 degree angles for arms and hands that promote proper body mechanics.

Among those pieces being tested are:

A gold touch keyboard, which can be adjusted vertically to allow the user’s hands to assume a. “handshake” position when typing; and a wave keyboard, which offers a similar benefit in a fixed position.

A trackball mouse designed to mimic the natural contours of the hand. “The only thing that moves in using this mouse is your fingers, there’s no arm or shoulder activity,” said Latimer.

A quill or vertical mouse, which keeps the user’s hand in the more natural “handshake” position while guarding against detrimental wrist flexing in the vertical and horizontal planes.

30-inch computer monitors that can be adjusted to a vertical or horizontal position and allow the user to see more of the document or Web browser on the screen. These monitors are also height adjustable.

Each workstation in the TECH Center that features a piece of the ergonomic equipment is marked with a sign detailing product information, and where to find additional information about that product and about ergonomics in general. Users will be asked to complete a survey that will pop up on their computer screen.

Latimer said the with data collected the university hopes to determine if students, faculty and staff benefit from the use of ergonomic equipment and to encourage future purchases of ergonomically designed computer equipment products throughout the university.

Project Ergo is a collaborative effort between Temple’s Disability Resources and Services, Student Affairs and Computer Services.