Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Estimation of Contact Regions Between Hands and Objects During Human Multi-Digit Grasping
Published on: April 21, 2023
Grip Strength Estimation Using Input Data From a Commodity Smartphone: Model Development and Validation Study
Komei Tajima1, Kaori Ikematsu2, Toshiya Isomoto2
1Department of Information and Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Yokohama, Japan.
Background:
Grip strength is a crucial indicator of muscle deterioration, recovery, sarcopenia, and neurological disorders. However, conventional measurement requires a dedicated dynamometer, which limits accessibility and requires specific movements.
Objective:
This study aimed to propose and validate a method for estimating grip strength using standard smartphone operations, thereby eliminating the need for specialized equipment.
Methods:
Data were collected from 21 young adults in the main experiment, who performed standard smartphone tasks (tapping, flicking, and dragging) after measuring their grip strength with a dynamometer. A predictive regression model was developed using touch and inertial sensor data. The model was first evaluated using a random split of the entire dataset (random split evaluation). To further assess practical feasibility and generalizability, we conducted leave-one-user-out validation and a few-day calibration validation; the latter simulated a calibration scenario by incorporating 1 to 4 days of user-specific data into the training set.
Results:
The regression analysis using a random split of the dataset demonstrated high accuracy, with a mean absolute error of 2.62 (SD 0.18) kg, a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 8.91% (SD 0.57%), and a coefficient of determination of 0.802 (SD 0.036). In the validation of practical scenarios, the leave-one-user-out validation resulted in a MAPE of 15.08% (SD 5.40%). However, the personalized few-day calibration model showed significant improvements as calibration days increased, with the MAPE decreasing to 13.96% (SD 5.57%) after 1 day and reaching 11.64% (SD 5.80%) after 4 days. Furthermore, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index assessment indicated a low overall subjective workload (mean 3.04, SD 2.23 on a scale of 10), confirming the method's suitability for daily use without a significant burden on users.
Conclusions:
The proposed method demonstrates that smartphones can serve as a viable, pervasive tool for daily grip strength monitoring, offering a convenient alternative to traditional dynamometers.
