A study on the determination of an optimal handle diameter for a signal billy

신호봉 손잡이의 최적 굵기 결정에 관한 연구

The objectives of this study were twofold; (1) to determine an optimal handle size of a signal billy, based on the subjective assessment of grip comfort and (2) to investigate the relationship between hand anthropometry and the optimal handle size. Thirty-seven university male students were asked to rate seven cylindrical handles of different diameters in barehanded and gloved conditions, respectively. Among these handles, 3.5cm diameter of the handle size was found to be the most comfortable, in both bardhanded and gloved conditionsl. However, no statistically significant reduction in grip comfort occurred within handle diameter ranging from 2.5cm to 4.0cm. As the handle diameter was deivated from the range, grip discomfort in creased significantly. A Spearman rank correlation coefficient test revealed that hand anthropometries such as finger lengths, hand circumference, and hand thickness were statistically significant factors on the determination of the optimal handle size. The implications of these findings were discussed. The results of this study can be used as guidelines in designing the hand tools for power grip.