Grips
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This document discusses different types of grips used by the human hand and their strengths and weaknesses. It describes power grips, pinch grips, oblique grips, hook grips, and palm-up and palm-down grips. For each grip type, it outlines factors like strength capabilities and optimal dimensions. It also discusses pushing and pulling motions, noting horizontal pushing is stronger than pulling and optimal heights for application of force.
Grips
- 1. 1 © Alan Hedge Cornell University 11/1999 Grasping Hands Professor Alan Hedge DEA 325 Primate Hands Human Hands l Unique capability for opposition of large thumb and fingers. Opposition Grips Human Grasping l Larger thumb and opposition grip gives greater dexterity and this allows more effective tool use. Gripping Behavior l For many activities (e.g. lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, pulling), the type of GRIP is the interface between the person's hand and the object being handled. l The type of grip affects the force that is generated on an object. l The type of grip affects the risk of injury. Types of Grip • Power • Pinch (precision) • Oblique • Hook • Palm up, palm down Power Grip l Power grip (cylindrical grip) is the maximum gripping force that can be generated by the hand. l Two factors affect the ability to generate force with a power grip: – Wrist orientation - deviations from a normal posture reduce the maximum grip force. – Grip span - spans that are too small or large will reduce grip strength. Optimal grip span is ~ 2". Power Grip Power Grips Pinch (Precision) Grip l Characterized by opposition of the thumb and the distal joints of the fingers. l Pinch grip has ~ 25% maximum power grip strength. l Pinch grip strength decreases rapidly at spans <1" or >3".
- 2. 2 © Alan Hedge Cornell University 11/1999 l Two types of grip: – Internal - tool handle is internal to the hand e.g. knife – External - tool handle external to hand e.g. pen. External Pinch Grip l Tool handle is external to hand e.g. pen. Internal Pinch Grip Pinch (Precision) Grip Precision grip l External and internal precision grips. Pinch Grip l Lateral pinch grip - usually submaximal in strength because of inappropriate grip span. Oblique Grip l Variant of power grip. l Grip across a rectangular surface. l ~65% power grip strength l Strongly affected by grip span. Oblique Grip: Shape Oblique Grip: Size Hook Grip l Flat hand, curled fingers, thumb as stabilizer, fingers support load. l ~strength of power grip for 2" span. l Narrow or wide handles, or poor contours decrease grip strength. Load may exceed 22 lbs/inch maximum skin pressure. Palm-up and Palm-down Grips l Palm-up - used for carrying objects. l Palm-down - weaker grip, Palm-up Grip l Grip strength depends on arm strength. l Difficult to perform when the height of the object being lifted exceeds elbow height (~35" above floor level). l Grip strength depends on grip span. Lid Opening/Closing l Ability to open or close a lid partly depends on the design of the lid.
- 3. 3 © Alan Hedge Cornell University 11/1999 l A smaller lid that allows the fingers to curl around it transmits more of the muscle force directly to the lid. l A large lid reduces the ability of the hand to grasp and open/close it. l Hand tools (jar openers) can be used. Pushing and Pulling Approx. 20% of overexertion injuries are associated with pushing/pulling work (NIOSH) Horizontal Pushing/Pulling l Horizontal pushing/pulling is affected by: – Body weight – Height of force application – Distance of force application from body – Amount of trunk flexion/extension – Frictional coefficient of the floor – Frictional coefficient of shoes – Distance moved/duration of force application – Availability of support structures (e.g. start blocks) – Posture (standing, sitting, kneeling, crawling) l Pushing is better than pulling. Vertical Pushing/Pulling l Vertical pushing/pulling is affected by: – Body weight (for pulling) – Grip strength – Height of force application § Upward pulls above 10" (~25 cm) are the strongest because leg and trunk muscles can be used. § Downward pulls above head level are strongest because body weight can be used. – Posture - downward pulls from seated position are ~85% standing position. Other Pushing/Pulling Actions l Transverse Pushing/Pulling - across the front of the body uses the weaker shoulder muscles. At full arm extension maximum force is ~ 50% of that with horizontal pushing/pulling. l Asymmetric Pushing/Pulling – one arm used to push/pull object or move this across the midline of the body. Optimal Pushing/Pulling Dimensions l Push/pull height = 91 - 114 cm l High traction floor = 30% more push/pull force than low traction floor. l Leg distances from load:
- 4. 4 © Alan Hedge Cornell University 11/1999 – Pushing = 165 cm min. – Pulling = 40 cm max. Palm-down Grips l Primarily used in precision activities. l With palm down the arms are suboptimally positioned. l Poor grip once the load weight exceeds 1 lb. (0.5 Kg). l Grip strength affected by grip span.