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If you are somebody who prefers to call a spade a spade, then you are probably not going to like this much.

A Phoenix-based entrepreneur has invented what he describes as the 'Ergonomic Shovel' with a rotating handle in the middle of the shaft.

The design is apparently intended to help improve posture and reduce back strain and wrist pain while digging.

Ace of spades: Shovels have been used to work the land and clear snow by humans for millennia but this design is claimed to make the whole process of digging and moving dirt around 30 per cent easier

However, the hi-tech spade is not likely to actually do any of the hard work itself and still requires a fair bit of effort.

The new design was dreamed up by Stephen Walden after waking up stiff and sore each morning while digging for his parents.

He has built a ring-shaped structure in the middle of a fibreglass shaft, which contains a handle that can be rotated by 360 degrees and locked into 16 different positions.

The idea is to allow users to set the angle that best suits them and the job they are doing.

Mr Waldon, 25, from Phoenix, Arizona, claims that it is the first major revolution in spade technology in thousands of years.

He said: 'It shouldn't be normal to wake up sore everyday after using these tools, so why not come up with a way to make them easier to use.

'I was using other tools as well, with perpendicular handles, like hedge trimmers and weed whackers, when I realized that this handle configuration can be used on a simple shovel.

'For thousands of years, we have grown accustomed to using traditional tools - to the point where we expect them to cause pain and injury. 

'But research shows that we can decrease workplace injury by adding ergonomics to the equation. We have redesigned the shovel to reduce injury'

Mr Waldon came up with the idea after doing some work in a community garden with his mother and helping his father out on properties he owns around Phoenix. 

Revolutionary idea: Shovel has a circular section in the shaft containing a handle that rotates 360 degrees

No pain, no gain? Inventor Charles Waldon came up with the idea after getting sore doing work for parents

Phoenix-based Charles Waldon has patented the design and is now selling commercial models of his spades

After building a prototype from PVC pipe and glue, he patented the idea before appealling to crowdfunding site KickStarter to help him raise the money to build a commercial product.

He has now set up a company called Bosse Tools to produce the spades.

These include two designs for digging - which cost $69 (£44) and another for shovelling snow, which costs $79 (£50).

Mr Waldon claims that tests with his spade by students at Arizona State University have shown that it can reduce the strain on arm and lower back muscles when digging and lifting.

Erin Harper, a kinesiology instructor at Arizona State University, said: 'We know from previous reports on snow shoveling injuries that a large number of injuries come from musculoskeletal exertion.

'If a person can complete the same task with less muscle activity, the onset of fatigue may be delayed, which may help prevent musculoskeletal injuries that usually result from compromised or poor movement technique.' 

Spade handles: New shovel comes in three designs for moving snow (left) and digging (middle and right)

Technology has transformed the simple task of digging but it's unclear how it helps when carrying wood