Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of manipulation mode of chopsticks on the learning process, using assessment of task performance and electromyography, and to understand the significance of the traditional manipulation mode from the viewpoint of physiological anthropology. Previous studies have described two modes of manipulating chopsticks, the traditional pincers-pinching mode and the scissors-pinching mode.MethodsWe conducted experiments with two conditions of holding chopsticks: scissors mode and pincers mode. Eight subjects participated and were assigned to these modes, and they learned handling tasks in their assigned mode for 5 days with the non-dominant hand. We measured task execution times and conducted electromyography of the following muscles: first dorsalis interosseus, flexor pollicis brevis, flexor digiti minimi brevis, flexor digitorum superficialis, and extensor digitorum.ResultsThe training effects were found in each mode. The pincers mode showed significantly shorter task performance times than did scissors mode. On electromyography, significant increases in activity of flexor digiti minimi brevis and tended an increase in flexor digitorum superficialis and a decrease in extensor digitorum occurred in pincers mode but not in scissors mode.ConclusionsThe traditional mode of holding chopsticks was associated with not only high task performance but also an advantage in terms of learning motor control.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of manipulation mode of chopsticks on the learning process, using assessment of task performance and electromyography, and to understand the significance of the traditional manipulation mode from the viewpoint of physiological anthropology
Studies have been conducted on use of chopsticks as a motor task from the viewpoint of motor learning and hand dominance [13,14,15,16]
While identical twins may be similar in their ability to use chopsticks or lack [11] thereof due to similar anatomical characteristics of the musculoskeletal system, motor learning regarding how to use chopsticks may be achieved by increased efficiency of muscle activity [17,18,19] which is an individual process that begins through the observation of others [12]
Summary
The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of manipulation mode of chopsticks on the learning process, using assessment of task performance and electromyography, and to understand the significance of the traditional manipulation mode from the viewpoint of physiological anthropology. As with other Western-style utensils, the relationship between shape and manipulation performance have been studied [1, 4, 5]. Studies have been conducted on use of chopsticks as a motor task from the viewpoint of motor learning and hand dominance [13,14,15,16]. Several studies have attempted to assess chopstick manipulation with electromyography [6, 17]. The relationship between mode of holding chopsticks and training or learning remains unclear [4]. The mode of chopstick usage acquired after birth through motor learning may be one expression of whole body coordination [20]
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