Health and Typing

[never4getthis]

Hi! Right now I am typing in a rubber dome keyboard. I have been practicing typing for the past 2 months and I have been able to raise my WPM from 40 to 60.
When I type I do so calmly and I dont force my fingers, however, after a while (20-30 mins) i notice fatigue in my fingers.
So I was a little concerned after reading on the internet about people getting RSI from typing.

Am i supposed to stop typing when i get fatigue?
Are there any streching exercises or anything of the sort to prevent fatigue or RSI?
will the mechanical keyboard I am expecting (cherry MX Blue) give me less fatigue?

Thanks

p.s. What speed improvement have you guys noticed after getting a mechanical keyboard?

[longweight]

No speed improvement for me but I do have a better and smoother typing style now.

[rowdy]

I am not a doctor.

With any repetitive activity, you should probably stop when yuo experience fatigue, especially where it is likely to lead to RSI or other long-term conditions.

Do you have a wrist rest?  They are quite popular to raise the wrists up a bit so they are at a more theraputic angle.

I have noticed that a lot of mechanical keyboards are taller than many membrane keyboards, so if wrist angle is part of the cause you should definitely consider getting a wrist rest.

You can make a simple one out of a block of wood, or even a book.  Put it in front of the keyboard you have now and see if it makes any difference.

Also consider your posture when sitting at the keyboard - bad posture can also lead to fatigue.

As to switch type, should you choose to buy a mechanical keyboard, blue is about mid-way and provides (what I think is) a nice audible click upon each keypress.  Reds, I understand, require the least force to press, and might be an option to consider if the action of actually pressing the keys is contributing to your fatigue.

[Lanx]

if you have fatigue from RD, then you'll always have fatigue from RD, you can't "get stronger" or immune to the horrible pain that is associated with the increased force required to activate almost all RD's in existence, head on over to the ergo forums, more ergo heads will answer, but in short, my opinion, no stretching/exercises is gonna help, just get a mech keyboard, now, RD's suck for fatigue (you don't HAVE to get an ergo mechanical, at least get a mech board tho).

[never4getthis]

Thanks for all the responses!
I really dont think its serious I have only strarted typing at about 60wpm 2 weeks ago, so I find it reasonable that I get tired right now (it doesnt hurt or anything). I just asked because I got a little scared when I heard that people develop injuries from typing. I do have a wrist rest so I guess its a matter of letting my fingers develop to the higher speeds, I am already noticing I get less tired since when I started this thread. My mechanical keyboard arrives tomorrow 

[stingrae]

You could also consider switching to colemak or dvorak if you want a more supported layout, I assume you learnt qwerty.

[pyro]

stingrae is right. When I still used qwerty I used to experience fatigue after ~30mins of constant typing, too. While it's important to have a good keyboard, if you're typing a lot, a better layout will help you more than a mechanical keyboard will. Plus, if you're learning to type properly, might as well start with a proper layout.

[never4getthis]

I agree but I'm a student about to start this year so I dont think switching now would be a wise idea. Maybe next summer.

[swagpiratex]

I type at a rapid sustained speed everyday for long hours and don't get pain at all. Just make sure you're sitting straight in your chair, that your arms, keyboard, and monitor are positioned correctly, and that when you type, your wrists are straight. Any kind of strain means that you're doing one of the above mentioned wrong.

[never4getthis]

Now that I got my mechanical keyboard (Noppoo Choc Mini) with MX blues I have not noticed any strain, its like i am typing on air. Man.....i'm never switching back to those rubber dome monsters 

[Lanx]

students are notorious for having the worst ergonomic,... everything, cuz well you're a student, you don't have a budget, your living/working space constantly changes and most ppl just have kitchen/lounge chairs at most.

The worst offenders are the ones that sit in a beanbag and type with their laptop, actually on their lap, dear lord.