It also interferes with sleep. Caffeine allows us to work longer hours without fatigue, straining our limbs beyond safety. Nicotine interferes with blood circulation, necessary to remove waste products from the bloodstream. Smoking also replaces oxygen, needed by your muscles, with carbon monoxide. Both obesity and extreme slenderness are associated with higher risk for injury.
Women are more susceptible to RSI than men.
This may be due, in part, to the higher proportion of women doing repetitive tasks. Women, however, have smaller muscles with which to do the heavy keyboard work. Pregnant women are particularly at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients with cool hands heal more slowly, which may indicate poor circulation. I wear elbow length, fingerless, wool gloves to keep my wrists toasty warm.