Characterisation of forces exerted by the entire hand during the power grip: effect of the handle diameter

The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of the handle diameter on the grip forces exerted by the hand during a maximal power grip task. A handle ergometer, combining six instrumented beams and a pressure map, was used to determine the forces exerted by the palm side of the hand regrouping data from 10 anatomical sites (fingertips, phalanges, thumb, palm…). This methodology provided results giving new insight into the effect of the handle diameter on the forces exerted by the hand. First, it appeared that the relationship between the hand length/handle diameter ratio and the maximal grip force fit a U-inverted curve with maximal values observed for a handle diameter measuring 17.9% of the hand length. Second, it was showed that the handle diameter influenced the forces exerted on the anatomical sites of the hand. Finally, it was showed that the handle diameter influenced the finger force sharing particularly for the index and the little fingers. Practitioner Summary: This study analysed the effect of the handle diameter on the grip forces exerted by the hand during a maximal power grip force. This study showed that measurement of the totality of the forces exerted at the hand/handle interface is needed to better understand the ergonomics of handle tools. Our results could be re-used by designers and clinicians in order to develop handle tools which prevent hand pathologies.