Lab 4 - Grip Strength Fatigue.doc - LabQuest Grip Strength Comparison 16 The importance of hand strength and function is evident in all aspects of our

Human Physiology with Vernier 16 - 1 LabQuest 16 Grip Strength Comparison The importance of hand strength and function is evident in all aspects of our daily living, from eating and maintaining personal hygiene to keyboarding at the computer, performing brain surgery, or playing tennis or the piano. People suffering from arthritis or hand injury quickly appreciate the difficulty of performing even the most mundane tasks with reduced grip strength. Testing of hand grip strength is used by orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists to evaluate the extent of an injury and the progress of recovery. Grip strength can also be used to diagnose neuromuscular problems such as stroke, herniated disks in the neck, carpal tunnel syndrome, and elbow tendonitis. Athletes are interested in grip strength because it relates to performance in many sports, such as tennis, golf, baseball, football, gymnastics, and rock climbing. Pinch strength is a way for occupational therapists to measure loss of fine-motor strength in the thumb, fingers, and forearm. It is useful for analyzing the extent of an injury and the outcome from surgery or therapy. In Part I of this experiment, you will measure and compare grip strength in your right and left hands. You will also correlate grip strength with gender, handedness, and height. In Part II you will analyze the pinch strength of each of your four fingers. Important: Do not attempt this exercise if you have arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or any ailment that might be exacerbated by using the muscles of your arm and hand. Figure 1

16 - 2 Human Physiology with Vernier LabQuest 16 OBJECTIVES In this experiment, you will  Measure and compare grip strength of your right and left hands.  Correlate grip strength with gender and certain physical characteristics.  Compare the pinch strengths of the individual fingers of the dominant hand. MATERIALS LabQuest LabQuest App Vernier Hand Dynamometer PROCEDURE Each person in the group will take turns being subject and tester. Part I Hand Grip Strength 1. Connect the Hand Dynamomenter to LabQuest. 2. On the Meter screen (top left), tap duration. Change the data-collection length to 10 seconds. Select OK. 3. Zero the readings for the Hand Dynamometer. a. Hold the Hand Dynamometer along the sides, in an upright position (see Figure 2). Do not put any force on the pads of the Hand Dynamometer. b. When the readings stabilize, choose Zero from the Sensors menu. The readings for the sensor should be close to zero. 4. Have the subject sit with his or her back straight and feet flat on the floor. The Hand Dynamometer should be held in the right hand. The elbow should be at a 90° angle, with the arm unsupported (see Figure 1). 5. Have the subject close his or her eyes, or avert them from the screen.