Development of an apparatus to estimate coordinated exertion of force

The purpose of this study was to develop a practical apparatus for estimation of the coordinated exertion of force and to develop methods for display, test duration, and sampling interval. A total of 84 healthy male college students were required to match their grip strength to a changing demand value appearing on the display of a personal computer (using two descriptions in the form of a bar chart and wave form). The variables were the maximal difference and the total sum of the differences between demanded and produced grip strength over time. In estimating coordinated exertion of force, an actual force (kgf) scale was more effective than a relative force (%) scale. Reliability tests indicated that a 30-sec. test was effective. Both bar chart and wave form displays were effective.