Grasp Fatigue as a Function of Handle Size and Shape

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of handle characteristics on fatigue of the gripping muscles while doing a slicing task as in using a knife in cutting meat. Subjects actually cut cylinders of modeling clay as a simulated meat-cutting task. Immediately after completing the cutting task the time to fatigue for the grasp muscles was estimated using the electromyographical technique developed by Petrofsky and Lind (1980). The handles evaluated were all rectangular ones with cross-sectional height to width ratios from 1:1.25 to 1:2. Each ratio was tested in four sizes. No significant differences in time to fatigue were found for the different handles. Time to fatigue was, however, significantly correlated with six anthropometric measures.