• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

Individual finger/total grip forces, and subjective preferences for various individual finger grip spans (i.e., four fingers had identical grip spans or different grip spans) were evaluated by using an "Adjustable Multi-Finger Force Measurement (MFFM) System". In this study, three grip spans were defined as follows: a 'favorite grip span' which is the span with the highest subjective preference; a 'maximum grip span' which is the span with the highest total grip force; a 'maximum finger grip span' which is a set of four grip spans that had maximum finger grip forces associated with the index, middle, ring, and little fingers, respectively. Ten males were recruited from university population for this study. In experiment I, each participant tested the maximum grip force with five grip spans (45 to 65mm) to investigate grip forces and subjective preferences for three types of grip spans. Results showed that subjective preferences for grip spans were not coincidence with the performance of total grip forces. It was noted that the 'favorite grip span' represented the lowest total grip force, whereas the 'maximum finger grip span' showed the lowest subjective preferences. The individual finger forces and the average percentage contribution to the total finger force were also investigated in this study. The findings of this study might be valuable information for designing ergonomics hand-tools to reduce finger/hand stress as well as to improve tool users' preferences and performance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate sensory disturbance in cervical spondylosis using grip force and investigate the relationship between the grip force and upper extremity function. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eleven cervical spondylosis patients with paresthesia conducted grip and lift tasks using a precision grip with the tips of the thumb and index finger on either side. The sum of the grip force used during the first four seconds was calculated and defined as the total grip force. The cutaneous pressure threshold of the fingers, the pinch power, the grip power and three subtests of the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF) were also assessed. Correlations between the total grip force and cutaneous pressure threshold, pinch power, grip power, and STEF subtest times were evaluated. Results: We found that the total grip force correlated with the cutaneous pressure threshold (p<0.05). Moreover, the total grip force of the dominant thumb correlated with the results of the three STEF subtests (p<0.05). There were no significant correlations between the total grip force and pinch/grip powers. Conclusions: We found that the total grip force correlated with cutaneous pressure threshold and upper extremity function. The results suggest that the total grip force could serve as an objective index for evaluating paresthesia in cervical spondylosis patients, and that the impaired ability of the upper extremity function is related to grip force coordination.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2016

The WMSDs are known to occur more in upper extremity than lower extremity, and such a ratio is increasing each year. The motions or repeated work requiring excessive strength beyond worker's maximum grip strength were known as a major cause of the WMSDs in upper extremity. To prevent the WMSDs in upper extremity, research on the grip strength characteristics analysis of field workers that can be used as basic data for work design and manual tool design is needed. The purpose of this study is to identify various variables affecting grip strength and is to find out the impacts of grip strength on WMSDs. This research measured the grip strength of 327 field workers at Heavy Industries, and also conducted a questionnaire survey on individual characteristics and job characteristics. As a result of analyzing grip strength, the grip strength was statistically significant (P<0.1) according to the body surface area (BSA) of the research subjects. The differences between percentile groups of grip strength were statistically significant (P<0.1) according to pain levels of hand/wrist/finger and arm/elbow. The comparison results between the average grip strength of Korean adult males and the average grip strength of the survey-targeted heavy industry workers show that the average grip strength of the heavy industry workers was higher by 9.75 kg. This study analyzed relationship between grip strength and the pain levels of hand/wrist/finger and arm/elbow, and compared the findings in this study with those of existing preceding studies. Also, this research comparatively analyzed the grip strength of Korean adult males and survey-targeted heavy industry workers. The findings of this study can be used as useful data for ergonomic work design and manual tool design to prevent WMSDs at industrial worksites, given that almost no data on the grip strength of workers in the industrial sites are found in Korea.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.6
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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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.33-39
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wrist position on grip strength. A Grip-Strength is measurement of muscle strength in hand. It is evaluated for the motor function and handicap of hand, projection of treatment plan. It is important because correct treatment. Methods: Total 80 college students were participated in this study, who consisted of 40 males and 40 females(age range: $20{\sim}26$). A Grip-Strength Dynamometer was used to measure the grip strength in three wrist position(flexion, extension, neutral position) and two elbow position(supination, pronation). The ANOVA was conducted to determine any significant difference in grip strength between the wrist position and the two elbow position. Results: The results were as follows: 1. The grip strength was affected by wrist position changes. 2. The difference of grip strength according to elbow position Was not significant difference (p>0.01). 3. The grip strength i1l neutral position was strongest among 3 position of wrist (p<0.01). Conclusion: A Grip-Strength was significant difference in wrist position. Pronation position was minimum grip-strength but not significant difference between supination and pronation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.918-925
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• 2015

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the hygienic status of 33 high school foodservice systems in Yongin city by using hygiene management guide checklist, ATP bioluminescence assay and microbe inspection petrifilm (APC, coliform group, Staphylococcus aureus) of food utensils during use. The 22 hygiene management guide checklist items about facilities, personal hygiene, food control, distribution, washing and disinfection had good grade but there were some inadequate behaviors on observation. The inspection results showed their sanitary condition met the level B of the recommendation of Korea method, it means sanitary management system get settled but more practical CCP system was needed. ATP bioluminescence assay was conducted on surface of food facilities, ATP ranged 425~2,552 RLU on gloves, 541~70,251 RLU on apron, 1,596~88,490 RLU on working desk, 1,177~263,813 RLU on sterilizer grip, 715~32,814 RLU on sterilizer shelf, 114~619,725 RLU on refrigerator grip, 677~319,007 RLU on refrigerator shelf, 71~196,725 RLU on freezer grip, 1,535~233,375 RLU on freezer shelf. APC ranged $66.7{\pm}29.0CFU$ on freezer grip, $102.1{\pm}35.9CFU$ on refrigerator grip, $45.4{\pm}28.2CFU$ on heating cabinet grip, $58.8{\pm}40.4CFU$ on sterilizer grip, the number of coliform group ranged $5.6{\pm}4.9CFU$ on freezer grip, $9.1{\pm}8.7CFU$ on refrigerator grip, $1.2{\pm}1.1CFU$ on heating cabinet grip, $4.5{\pm}4.4CFU$ on sterilizer grip. S. aureus ranged $8.0{\pm}5.6CFU$ on freezer grip, $12.2{\pm}9.6CFU$ on refrigerator grip, $2.1{\pm}1.6CFU$ on heating cabinet grip, $11.6{\pm}6.4CFU$ on sterilizer grip.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 1995

The purpose of this study were to determine the effect of testing posture and elbow position on grip strength. Two hundred college students 100 males and 100 females aged 18 to 28 years, participated in the study. A Grip-Strength Dynamometer was used to measure the grip strength in two testing posture(sitting and standin) and four elbow position$(0^{\circ},\;45^{\circ},\;90^{\circ}\;and\;135^{\circ}\;flexion)$ correlations and t-test was used to determine any significant difference in grip strength between the testing posture and the elbow position. The results were as follows : 1. The grip strength was affected by testing pasture and flexion degree of elbow. 2. The grip strength was stronger in the standing than sitting in subjects 3. The grip strength decreased according to elbow flexion increase in subjects. 4. The higher grip strength gained in the standing with the elbow 0 flexion. 5. The grip strength by elbow flexion degree showed significant difference at sitting and standing posture. The grip strength was significant differenced by testing position at same elbow flexion degree.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.6
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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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.415-424
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of various wheelchair handling directions on the upper limb muscle activities of wheelchair attendants while climbing a ramp. Methods: For the study participants, healthy males over 20 years of age were chosen, and the order of the direction of wheelchair handle grip was determined using a randomized method. The handling directions for pushing the wheelchair up a ramp included a general grip with ulnar deviation, a medial grip with wrist pronation, and a neutral grip with a neutral wrist. The muscle activities in the participants' upper limbs were measured using surface electromyography. For statistical data processing, SPSS 18.0 was used to perform repeated measures ANOVA in order to compare the muscle activity among the intervention groups. A contrast test was also conducted among the participants. The significance level (${\alpha}$) was set to 0.05. Results: There was a significant difference between groups using a general grip and a medial grip in the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and flexor carpi radialis muscles (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference between using a general grip and a neutral grip in the biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis muscles (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference between using a medial grip and a neutral grip in the biceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the wheelchair assistants' wrist muscle activity was the lowest with a neutral grip while ascending a ramp. Accordingly, this study proposes that wheelchair assistants push wheelchairs up ramps with a neutral grip.