• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.553-563
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gender (male, female) and grip spans (45, 50, 60, 70, 80mm) on total grip strength, resultant force, finger force and subjective discomfort rating. Background: In order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, studies of hand tools need to be preceded based on grip strength, finger force, and subjective discomfort rating. However, experimental apparatus using tools such as pliers that reflect the actual work place was almost non-existent. Method: Fifty-Two (26 males and 26 females) participants were recruited from the student population. In this study, a pair of revised pliers, which can change grip span from 45 to 80mm was applied to estimate total grip strength, resultant force and individual finger forces. All participants were asked to exert a maximum grip force with three repetitions, and to report the subjective discomfort rating for five grip spans of pliers (45, 50, 60, 70, 80mm). Results: There were significant differences of total grip strength, resultant force, individual finger forces and subjective discomfort rating according to grip span. The lowest total grip strength was obtained from the grip span of 80mm for both genders. For resultant force, the highest resultant force was exerted at grip spans of 50, 60 and 70mm for females and 50 and 60mm for males. The lowest subjective discomfort rating was observed in the 50mm for both genders. Conclusion: Based on the result, 50mm and 60mm grip spans which provide the highest force and lowest discomfort rating might be recommendable for the male and female pliers users. Application: The findings of this study can provide guidelines on designing a hand tool to help to reduce hand-related musculoskeletal disorders and obtain better performance.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2007

In this study, six grip spans (45mm-65mm) were tested to evaluate the effects of handle grip span and user's hand size on maximum grip strength, individual finger force, and subjective ratings of comfort using a digital dynamometer with individual force sensors. Forty-six males were assigned into three hand size groups according to their hand lengths. Results showed that overall 55mm and 50mm grip spans were the most comfortable sizes and associated with the highest grip strength in the maximum grip force exertions, whereas 65mm grip span was rated as the least comfortable size as well as the lowest grip strength. In the interaction effect of grip span and hand size, small and middle hand sized participants rated the best preference and the least preference grip spans differently with large hand sized participants. With respect to the analysis of individual finger force, the middle finger force was the strongest and the highest contribution to the total finger force, followed by ring, index and little fingers. In addition, it was noted that each finger had a different optimal grip span for exerting maximum force resulting in a bowed contoured shaped handle for two-handle hand tools. Thus, the grip spans for two-handle hand tools might be designed according to the users' hand and finger anthropometrics to maximize performance and subjective perception of comfort.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.503-509
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the individual finger force between dominant hand and non-dominant hand and to investigate an effect of the individual finger on the total grip strength depending on dominant hand and non-dominant hand. Background: Many studies on the ratio of the grip force between dominant hand and non-dominant hand has been researched. While a 10% rule which is a ratio of the grip force between dominant hand and non-dominant hand has been applied in most studies, studies on the rate of the individual finger force between dominant hand and non-dominant hand have been insufficiently researched. Method: The experiment was preceded with 17 subjects (male, mean 25.8 ages). The individual finger force and total grip strength were measured using pliers being able to change the grip span from 45 to 80mm. Results: The difference of total grip strength between dominant hand and non-dominant hand is following 10% rule. However, the difference of individual finger force between dominant hand and non-dominant hand are not same as the difference of total grip strength. Especially in the case of grip span with 50mm, the differences between total grip strength, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger were $9.87{\pm}14.80%$, $8.95{\pm}37.17%$, $13.71{\pm}28.27%$, $6.77{\pm}24.35%$, $39.29{\pm}42.46%$, respectively, with p=0.018 of statistical significance. Additionally, the results of regression analysis in 50 and 60mm of grip span showed that the difference in ring finger affected the most to the total grip strength; and the effects followed in order of index finger, middle finger, and little finger. Conclusion: Our study suggests that an effect of individual finger and grip span of pliers have to be considered when explaining the difference of the total grip strength between dominant hand and non-dominant hand. Application: This result is expected to be used for designing ergonomic hand tool.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.511-516
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study is designing an optimal hand tool through maximum grip force study accordance to the hand grip span. Background: In order to prevent musculoskeletal diseases, studies on hand tool design are proceeding based on grip strength, finger force, and contribution of individual finger force on total grip strength. However, experimental apparatus using a tool that is actually used in work place was almost non-existent. Method: 19 males were participated in an experiment. Using the load cell inserted real plier, finger force, grip strength, and subjective discomfort rate of both hands (dominant and non-dominant) were measured in 5 different hand grip span(45mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, and 80mm). Results: There was significant difference(p<0.001) of total grip strength, individual finger force and subjective discomfort rating according to various hand grip span(45, 50, 60, 70, and 80mm). Also, statistically significant different(p<0.001) was shown between the dominant hand and non-dominant hand. In addition, individual finger force in maximum grip was in order of middle finger, ring finger, index finger, and little finger. Conclusion: Optimal grip span of pliers that exerting maximum grip strength is 50~60mm. Application: This finding is expected to be used for designing proper pliers.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2009

The purpose of this study, during the lifting task was researching the difference and a relationship between the ground reaction force and the grip strength by change of position. After grip strength has measured in symmetry position and asymmetry position at 45cm and 75cm of height of hand, ground reaction force was measured by same attitude lifting wooden box. We analyzed the difference of grip strength and ground reaction force in each position change. The results of grip strength, the grip strength of both hand were significant difference that in study subject symmetry and asymmetry position (p<0.01). The results of symmetry lifting task, the study subjects was significant difference of the ground reaction force difference by height (p<0.05). Asymmetry lifting task was significant difference of ground reaction force difference by direction of rotation was changed (p<0.01). The result of it will rotate with non-dominant hand side of lifting tasks from height 75cm where it easily maintains a balance possibility and decreasing the load of the hand. Therefore, from the workshop in the work people, it will be between the height 75cm and non-dominant hand side of trunk rotatory direction in the lifting tasks. Future study is necessary researched about the change of grip strength when the height of the hand is higher, and the difference of the ground reaction force when the change of weight.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.569-578
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• 2017

Objective: The purposes of this experiment are an analysis of accuracy between target force level and subjective rating for the Target Force Level and an analysis of the patterns of subjective rating depending on target force level when there is no feedback from males for analysis. Background: The study of perceived exertion about the static contraction is processed with using among the matching procedure method between contralateral limbs, Exertion vs. Borg CR-10 scale and Exertion vs. %MVC (Maximum Voluntary Contraction). However, when there is no feedback, there is lack of the study on whether the subject can distinguish the subjective rating of the force depending on the target force levels. Method: Total 30 males, healthy subjects are measured the maximum grip strength, MVC, and then, each subject is measured the subjective rating and the accuracy with the random target force level (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% MVC). Results: In the MVC study, males exerted 256.87N (${\pm}51.33$). In the subjective rating of grip strength increased for each Target Force Level (9 levels), higher subjective rating evaluated (p<0.05). In accuracy examination between target force level and subjective rating of grip strength by each %MVC, 10, 30, 40, 50, 70, 90% target force levels showed accurate strength (p>0.05). However, at 20% target force level, the subjects evaluated less subjective rating of grip strength than the target force (Underestimation), and at 60% and 80% target force level, the subjects evaluated more subjective rating of grip strength than the target force (Overestimation) (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the experiment, the MVC showed 256.87N (${\pm}51.33$) for the male adults and as the subjective rating value increased for each Target Force Level (9 levels), higher subjective rating evaluated (p<0.05). Moreover, the results of the accuracy test between target forces and subjective rating of the subjects showed that most participants rated a fairly accurate assessment of subjective rating of grip strength for Target Force Level (9 levels), except for 20%, 60%, and 80%MVC. Application: This experimental result would be used for basic data for the subjective rating of grip strength pattern by the target force level when the voluntary muscle is contracted.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.227-233
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to in this study. The maximum grip force of the elderly hand was measured using a custom-designed grasping apparatus mounted with five three-component force transducers. The Jebsen-Tayler hand function test and Purdue Pegboard test were performed to evaluate the dexterity of the hand. Method: Twenty-six elderly women participated in the left hand between the maximum grip force and the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test results (r=-.513, p=.007). A significant correlation was also shown in the hand maximum grip force and the hand Purdue Pegboard results (r=.514, p=.007). However, no significant correlation was found in the right hand. Results: We found a significant correlation investigate the relationship between hand grip strength and hand dexterity in the elderly. Conclusion: Our findings in the current study support the theory of 'Strength-dexterity complementariness' which states that improvement in dexterity is associated with the grip force strength.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.73-83
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• 1997

It is improtant to get accurate information about the grip strength for designing ergonomic grips and handles. It has been known that the excessive and repetitive use of grip force and unnatural posture of the wrist may cause cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendrome, tendonitis, DeQuervan's disease, etc. In this paper we have measured the grip strength for sitting and standing posture for Korean adults ; 114 males and 105 females aged from the 20's to above the 50's. And this paper performed statistical analysis for deriving characteristics between grip strength and anthropometric data. The results are as follows ; (1) The maximum grip strength posture is exerted under standing posture with the elbow in full extension (180 .deg. ) for both males and females (2) There is significant difference among posture, sex and right and/or left handedness (3) Grip strength decreases with age for male, but it traces an inverted U curve for female (4) Grip strength has corre- lations with the age, weight, height, BSA, forearm length, hand length, thickness of wrist, circumference of wrist, and breadth of wrist for males.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.118-125
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• 2020

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal pain condition of the upper extremities. LE is often related to forceful grip activities that require isometric contraction of the wrist extensors. A previous study evaluated the effect of the diamond taping technique on grip strength and pain; however, there has been no report on the change in the electromyography (EMG) findings of wrist extensors. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diamond taping technique, using a rigid tape, on the EMG activities of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) during grip activities. Methods: Twenty-four healthy subjects (mean age = 21.50 ± 2.76 years) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform forceful grip activities with and without diamond-type taping on the origin area of the ECR. Grip strength tests were performed at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% for maximal isometric contraction force. EMG data were collected from the ECR. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to analyze the effect of grip force and taping (with and without). Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.05. Comparison of the results with and without taping at different grip force were analyzed using independent t-test. Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.01. Results: Statistically significant association was observed between the taping application and forceful grip activity as revealed by the EMG data of the ECR (p < 0.05). EMG of the ECR significantly reduced for all muscle strength levels (p < 0.01) after taping. Conclusion: This study shows an impressive effect of the diamond taping technique, using rigid tape, on wrist extensors during grip activities. Decreasing muscle activity via this taping approach could be utilized to enhance pain-free grip force and reduce pain in patients with LE. Our study suggested that this taping technique could be considered as an effective management strategy of LE.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.125-134
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish an association between grip strength and gait variability in the elderly. Methods: The participants in this experiment (n = 20) were aged 65 or older. Power grip and lateral pinch forces were obtained in grip strength tests, and spatiotemporal gait parameters were collected from IMU sensors during 6 min actual walking to test the gait of participants. The collected gait parameters were converted to coefficient of variation (CV) values. To confirm the association between grip strength and gait variability, a partial correlation analysis was conducted in which height, weight, and gait speed were input as controlling variables. Results: Grip power showed a significant negative correlation with the stride length CV (r = -0.52), and the lateral pinch force showed a significant negative correlation with the stance CV (r = -0.65) and swing CV (r = -0.63). Conclusion: This study reveals that gait variability decreases as grip strength increases, although height, weight, and gait speed were controlled. Thus, grip strength testing, a simple aging evaluation method, can help identify unstable gait in older adults at risk of falling, and grip strength can be utilized as a non-invasive measurement method for frailty management and prevention.