Contextualising statistical evaluations of pinch force and endurance among young and elderly people using TRIZ techniques

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study compares and correlates young and elderly people’s pinch force and endurance, and proposes inventive solutions contextualised from these statistical evaluations using TRIZ techniques. An experiment was performed with 64 young and old adults who were required to pinch an apparatus while wearing a glove with pressure sensors. Participants held their pinch until they could no longer sustain it. Pinch force and endurance time were measured and analysed using Pearson’s correlation and T-Tests. The analyses confirmed that pinch force decreases with lower endurance and vice versa. Apart from the significant difference in elderly and young people’s pinch force and endurance, researchers found that young people sustained pinches longer and at a higher force than elderly people. TRIZ strategies suggested that it is better for objects to 'grasp' the elderly’s fingers in pinch activities rather than the usual way. Elderly people could attempt pinching periodically to conserve endurance and reduce injury risks from highly sustained exertions. This study provides an explicit pathway in developing innovative solutions that help prevent finger-related musculoskeletal risks among elderly people. These solutions have the potential in contributing to advances in ergonomics, mechanical design and biomechanics in the form of hand prosthetics and hand exoskeletons.