Task-based assessment of hand muscle strength and residual water content in women performing household work

BackgroundLong-term household labor involves repetitive hand-intensive tasks that may contribute to musculoskeletal strain and functional decline among women. Evaluating hand function through task-based assessments may provide insights into functional capacity during daily domestic activities.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine task-based hand performance during a common household activity and to explore how age and labor exposure relate to hand muscle strength, grip strength, and residual water content among women engaged in household work.MethodsEighty female participants were recruited and divided into a middle-aged and older group (≥45 years) and a younger group (20-24 years). Hand function was assessed using forearm and wrist pronator muscle strength measurements, bilateral grip strength tests, and a functional towel-wringing task performed under maximal and acceptable conditions.ResultsYoung adults demonstrated significantly greater dominant-hand grip strength and wrist pronator muscle strength than middle-aged and older women. Towel-wringing performance was also superior among younger participants, as indicated by lower residual water content after wringing. Pronator muscle strength showed stronger associations with wringing performance than grip strength alone.ConclusionsTask-based muscle strength assessment provides important insights into functional hand performance during repetitive household activities and may inform ergonomic support strategies for domestic work.