Abstract
New types of cylindrical handles such as pushrims with force signal sensors under four fingers (excluding the thumb) enable real-time gripping-status assessment. The mirrored change phenomenon of the index and ring fingers observed in linear grip tasks offers a new perspective on finger grouping. To evaluate the force contribution of index-ring finger pair in multi-finger force, 10 right-handed male participants with similar hand sizes were recruited to participate in sinusoidal function force-following tasks involving a cylindrical handle. The real-time signal of the grip force and individual finger force were recorded to analyze real-time changes in the finger force contribution (FC). Subsequently, the time-FC curves of individual and paired fingers were analyzed. Results show are as follows: (1) When the FC of the index-ring finger pair exceeded that of the middle-little finger pair, the gripping load was relatively low, and a smaller difference between the FCs of the index-ring finger pair and the middle-little finger pair indicated a smaller following error. (2) The FC of index-ring finger pair is a better (higher-linearity) parameter to assess gripping status. These findings show that the paired-finger FC is an adequate parameter for the gripping-status assessment.
Highlights
The operation of cylindrical handles or controllers is common in modern technology [1,2]
(2) The force contribution (FC) of index-ring finger pair is a better parameter to assess gripping status. These findings show that the paired-finger FC is an adequate parameter for the gripping-status assessment
A motor unit investigation based on the forearm electromyography analysis [12] indicated that the little finger has the strongest synchrony with the other fingers, and the index-ring pair has the weakest synchrony in multi-finger tasks
Summary
The operation of cylindrical handles or controllers (such as pushrims in a wheelchair) is common in modern technology [1,2]. Studies have been performed on the difference in finger-force exertion between single- and multi-finger tasks. A motor unit investigation based on the forearm (flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus) electromyography analysis [12] indicated that the little finger has the strongest synchrony with the other fingers, and the index-ring pair has the weakest synchrony in multi-finger tasks. These studies did not reveal the relationship between the individual finger force and the gripping status
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