Keyboard Risk Factors
1. Ulnar Deviation
Ulnar deviation occurs when your wrist bends outward towards your little finger, representing one of the most prevalent and potentially harmful keyboard postures that may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome and other serious repetitive strain injuries.
Traditional keyboards exacerbate this issue as the span of your shoulders surpasses the width of the home row keys. To align your hands over the home row, you must bring them together in front of your body, resulting in deviated wrists. Ulnar deviation restricts blood flow through the wrist, necessitates static muscle tension, and applies pressure to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. This becomes particularly problematic for individuals with broad shoulders.
Freestyle Solution
The Freestyle keyboard family tackles the problem of ulnar deviation through two distinct approaches: Split and Splay. Its adaptable design makes it an ideal choice for individuals of all body types.
Adjustable Split: The left and right key modules are fully separable, allowing for a neutral wrist posture suitable for a diverse range of body types. The Freestyle2 offers a standard 9" linking cable or an extended 20" cable. Meanwhile, the Freestyle Pro features a standard 20" linking cable, complemented by a convenient compartment for storing any excess cable.
Adjustable Splay:
Rotate the key modules and separate them as necessary to position your wrists in a more neutral and comfortable posture. The Freestyle2 offers an optional "Pivot Tether" that can be attached to facilitate a symmetrical splay angle, enhancing flexibility and customization to suit individual preferences.
Advantage2 Solution
Fixed Split:
The Advantage2 keyboard effectively tackles the problem of ulnar deviation by dividing the standard keyboard layout into left and right key wells. These key wells are strategically positioned to place your arms at approximately shoulder width, ensuring that your wrists remain straight. This design aims to minimize harmful ulnar deviation and abduction, promoting a more ergonomic and comfortable typing experience.
Advantage360 Solution
Adjustable Split: The left and right key modules on the Advantage series can be fully separated, allowing for a neutral wrist posture that accommodates a diverse range of body types. The base USB model includes a standard 10" braided linking cable, and you have the flexibility to substitute any USB-C data cable for extended linking. The Advantage360 Professional model utilizes wireless linking technology, providing complete freedom of movement.
Fixed Split: If you prefer a fixed split, you can effortlessly snap on the included Bridge Connector, recreating the spacing found in earlier contoured keyboards.
Adjustable Splay: For an adjustable splay, simply rotate the key modules and separate them as needed to position your wrists in a more neutral and comfortable posture.
2. Forearm Pronation
Forearm and wrist pronation occurs when typing with your palms facing down towards the worksurface. This movement primarily involves the rotation of both forearm bones (ulna and radius).
Continued pronation exerts pressure on the forearm muscles and tissues, restricting blood circulation and potentially leading to fatigue and repetitive strain injuries ("RSI"). Studies indicate that a moderate elevation of the thumb side of the hand significantly alleviates pressure on the forearm muscles.
Freestyle Solution
Adjustable Tenting: The Freestyle keyboard family effectively addresses forearm pronation through three distinct modular tenting accessories, which are designed to be used with or without palm supports. These tenting accessories can be easily attached to the bottom of the keyboard, elevating the inner edge of the key module. Tenting allows you to type with your forearms in a more neutral and comfortable position.
All Freestyle tenting accessories offer variable and reproducible tent settings, significantly reducing pronation. The V3 and VIP accessories support tenting angles of 5˚, 10˚, and 15˚, while the Ascent accessory allows tenting from 20˚ to 90˚, providing a wide range of customizable options.
Advantage2 Solution
Fixed 20˚ Tenting:
The Advantage2 keyboard effectively combats forearm pronation with integrated tenting, which raises the thumb sides of the hands at a consistent lateral slope of approximately 20 degrees. Thanks to its distinctive shape, the tenting positions your hands in a natural and ergonomic posture that is both comfortable and intuitive for typing.
Advantage360 Solution
Adjustable Integrated Tenting: The Advantage360 keyboard marks a milestone as the first Kinesis keyboard to incorporate integrated tenting. This feature is designed to minimize forearm pronation, allowing you to type with your forearms in a more neutral and comfortable position. Select from the low, medium, or high setting to find the tenting height that best suits your body, offering a customizable and ergonomic typing experience.
3. Wrist Extension
Wrist extension takes place when wrists are bent upward and backward, causing fingers to be positioned higher than the wrist joint. This posture significantly hampers blood circulation in the hands, resulting in pain, fatigue, and numbness.
Many conventional keyboards, including numerous ergonomic designs, incorporate a positive 10-degree slope or "pop-up feet" on the back underside, inadvertently worsening the issue. Even keyboards labeled as having a "neutral slope" can contribute to problems if the user allows their wrists to drop in front of the keyboard and down onto the work surface.
Freestyle Solution
The Freestyle family of keyboards tackles wrist extension through multiple approaches.
- Zero-Degree Slope: Freestyle keyboards are designed with a zero-degree slope from front to back, ensuring that your wrist remains at the same elevation as your forearm and hand. This layout guarantees that all keys are positioned below wrist level, eliminating the need to reach "up" for any keys.
- Optional Palm Supports: Users have the flexibility to attach modular palm supports that position the wrist in a completely neutral posture. Unlike traditional "wrist rests," these "palm supports" not only provide cushioned support to the palms as needed but also protect the more sensitive wrists by relieving pressure on areas that impact circulation. This thoughtful design contributes to a more comfortable and ergonomic typing experience.
Advantage2 Solution
The Advantage2 keyboard effectively addresses wrist extension through its thoughtful design features.
Integrated Palm Supports:
The keyboard incorporates integrated palm supports that position your wrists in a more neutral alignment, closer to the same elevation as your forearm and hand. The concave key wells play a crucial role in ensuring that all keys are positioned below the level of your wrist, eliminating the need to reach "up" for any keys. Unlike conventional "wrist rests," these integrated "palm supports" not only offer necessary support to the palms but also protect the more sensitive wrists by alleviating pressure on areas that impact circulation.
Each keyboard comes with a set of cushioned palm pads, providing an additional layer of comfort that can be attached as needed. This comprehensive approach enhances user comfort and contributes to a more ergonomic typing experience.
Advantage360 Solution
Integrated Palm Supports: The Advantage30 keyboard effectively addresses wrist extension through its integrated palm supports, positioning your wrists in a more neutral alignment, approaching the same elevation as your forearm and hand. The concave key wells play a vital role in ensuring that all keys are positioned below the level of your wrist, eliminating the need to reach "up" for any keys.
Distinct from a conventional "wrist rest," these integrated "palm supports" not only provide necessary support to the palms but also safeguard the more sensitive wrists by alleviating pressure on areas that impact circulation.
All-New Cushioned Pads (Sold Separately): For an additional layer of comfort and support, consider adding the magnetic palm pad specifically designed for the Advantage360. Sold separately, these cushioned pads further enhance the overall typing experience, prioritizing user well-being and comfort.
4. Mouse Overreach
Keyboard Width Impact on Ergonomics:
In many traditional and even numerous ergonomic keyboards, an integrated numeric 10-key is a common feature, contributing to an increased overall width of the keyboard. The wider the keyboard, the farther away you must position the mouse.
The consequence of having to extend your forearm and shoulder to reach for the mouse is the imposition of unnecessary strain on your forearm, neck, and shoulders. This ergonomic challenge highlights the importance of keyboard design in promoting a more comfortable and efficient workspace.
Freestyle Solution
Tenkeyless Design with Embedded 10-Key: The Freestyle family of keyboards effectively resolves the issue of mouse overreach by incorporating an "embedded" numeric keypad within the right key module. This innovative design reduces the overall width of the keyboard, enabling the placement of the pointing device directly in front of the shoulder for optimal comfort. The embedded keypad functions can be easily accessed using the "Fn" key.
Stand-Alone USB 10-Key: For users who heavily rely on the numeric keypad, considering the purchase of a stand-alone keypad is advisable. This stand-alone device offers the flexibility to position the keypad optimally based on your workflow and desk space, ensuring a more customized and comfortable computing experience.
Advantage2 Solution
Tenkeyless Design with Embedded 10-Key: The Advantage2 keyboard effectively tackles the issue of mouse overreach by incorporating a numeric keypad into the right key well. This embedded keypad design reduces the overall width of the keyboard, facilitating the placement of the pointing device directly in front of the shoulder for optimal comfort. Keypad actions can be swiftly accessed using the dedicated "Keypad" key.
Stand-Alone USB 10-Key: For users who heavily rely on the numeric keypad, it is recommended to consider investing in a stand-alone keypad. This separate device provides the flexibility to position the keypad optimally according to individual workflow and desk space, ensuring a more customized and comfortable computing experience.
Advantage360 Solution
Tenkeyless Design with Embedded 10-Key: The Advantage360 family of keyboards effectively addresses mouse overreach by integrating a numeric keypad into the right key well. This embedded keypad design reduces the overall width of the keyboard, facilitating the placement of the pointing device directly in front of the shoulder for maximum comfort. The keypad actions can be swiftly accessed using the dedicated "KP" key. For frequent 10-key users, the "KP" key can be remapped anywhere on the keyboard or to the new USB-C foot pedal (sold separately).
Stand-Alone USB 10-Key: Heavy 10-key users should consider investing in a stand-alone keypad, providing the flexibility to position the keypad optimally based on their workflow and desk space.
5. High Key Force & Fingertip Impact
A majority of traditional and numerous ergonomic keyboards are equipped with keys featuring high activation force and/or "short-travel" switches. High force keys demand more effort to actuate, leading to increased finger strain and fatigue over time. These effects can accumulate and contribute to various health issues.
Short-travel switches, akin to those on laptops and many "budget-friendly" keyboards, necessitate a complete depression of the key to activate it. The consequence is a constant "bottoming out" with numerous unnecessary micro-impacts on your fingertips each day. This repetitive impact can contribute to discomfort and potential health concerns.
Freestyle Solution
The Freestyle family of keyboards prioritizes user comfort and health by employing low-force, full-travel key switches, aiming to reduce strain, fatigue, and unnecessary impacts.
Low-Force, Full-Travel Membrane Switches: The Freestyle2 keyboard utilizes membrane key switches with a low activation force of 35g and a peak force of 45g. The custom-engineered membrane provides "tactile feedback," offering a slightly elevated force at the point of actuation. This tactile feedback helps train typists not to "bottom-out" the switch, eliminating unnecessary impacts and promoting a more ergonomic typing experience.
Low-Force, Full-Travel Mechanical Switches: The Freestyle Pro keyboard incorporates low-force Cherry mechanical key switches, renowned for their exceptional comfort, performance, and durability. Users can choose the MX Brown stem variety for "tactile feedback," providing a slightly elevated force at the point of actuation. This tactility aids in training typists to avoid "bottoming-out" the switch, reducing unnecessary impacts. Alternatively, the MX Quiet Red stem offers a linear feel (no tactility) and reduced noise for those seeking a quieter typing experience.
Advantage2 Solution
The Advantage keyboard employs low-force mechanical key switches, prioritizing comfort, performance, and durability for an exceptional typing experience.
Advantage2 Quiet LF: This model features MX Quiet Red switches, offering a linear feel (no tactility) and reduced noise. Ideal for those seeking a quieter typing experience.
Other Advantage2 Models: All other Advantage2 models utilize MX Brown switches, providing "tactile feedback." Tactility introduces a slightly elevated force at the point of actuation, training typists not to "bottom-out" the switch and minimizing unnecessary impacts.
Optional Electronic Key Tones: The Advantage keyboard is equipped with optional electronic key tones that provide auditory feedback when a key switch actuates. This feature serves as a training tool, encouraging users not to "bottom-out" the switch and contributing to a more ergonomic typing technique.
Advantage360 Solution
Low Force, Full-Travel Mechanical Switches in the Advantage360 Keyboard:
The Advantage360 keyboard is equipped with low-force mechanical key switches, prioritizing comfort, performance, and durability. The Gateron Brown switches, featuring "tactile feedback," provide a slightly elevated force at the point of actuation. This tactility is designed to train typists not to "bottom-out" the switch, thereby reducing unnecessary impacts and promoting a more ergonomic and comfortable typing experience.