Combined driving: task-specific position impacts grip strength of equestrian athletes

Background Loss of hand strength is a predictor of mortality in aging populations. Despite reliance on the hands to participate in equestrian driving activity, no existing studies focus on associations of hand strength to athletic performance. Therefore, this study 1) established baseline handgrip of equestrian combined drivers in standing and task-specific positions, 2) determined endurance of task-specific handgrip, 3) compared handgrip strength to normative data, and 4) evaluated associations of handgrip and equestrian-specific variables. Methods There were 51 combined drivers (9 males, 42 females) ages 21–78 who completed a survey, standing handgrip, and grip strength and endurance in a task-specific position. Sixty-three percent of participants were 50 years or older. The dynamometer grip bar was normalized by hand size for standing tests; to duplicate sport-specific tasks, the bar was set to the closest setting. Significances were determined at p < 0.05. Results Drivers with more than 30 years of experience demonstrated highest summed standing (73.1 ± 5.2 kg) and summed sitting (59.9 ± 6.3 kg) grip strength. Females 60-years and older had greater handgrip endurance (Χ2 = 8.323, df = 2, p = .0156) in non-dominant (left) hands. Males (60%) reported more cold weather fatigue than females. Glove wearing was associated with bilateral endurance balance; a higher proportion of endurance balance between dominant and non-dominant (49% high-high and 29% low-low; Χ2 = 11.047, df = 1, p = .0009) was realized. There were no associations of handgrip and prior injury. Conclusions Our results have implications in understanding task-specific and normative grip strengths in aging equestrian populations. Bilateral balance in handgrip strength and endurance is important particularly in maintaining strength in non-dominant hands over time. Equestrian driving sport promotes greater endurance in older females. Strength can be improved by participating in combined driving, and engagement in this sport over several years’ benefits hand strength over time. This cohort of equestrian participants provides evidence that participating in hand-specific activities promotes greater strength, which has been previously shown to improve aging outcomes.

Intraoperative hand strength as an indicator of consciousness during awake craniotomy: a prospective, observational study

Awake craniotomy enables mapping and monitoring of brain functions. For successful procedures, rapid awakening and the precise evaluation of consciousness are required. A prospective, observational study conducted to test whether intraoperative hand strength could be a sensitive indicator of consciousness during the awake phase of awake craniotomy. Twenty-three patients who underwent awake craniotomy were included. Subtle changes of the level of consciousness were assessed by the Japan Coma Scale (JCS). The associations of hand strength on the unaffected side with the predicted plasma concentration (Cp) of propofol, the bispectral index (BIS), and the JCS were analyzed. Hand strength relative to the preoperative maximum hand strength on the unaffected side showed significant correlations with the Cp of propofol (ρ = − 0.219, p = 0.007), the BIS (ρ = 0.259, p = 0.002), and the JCS (τ = − 0.508, p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for discriminating JCS 0–1 and JCS ≥ 2 demonstrated that the area under the curve was 0.76 for hand strength, 0.78 for Cp of propofol, and 0.66 for BIS. With a cutoff value of 75% for hand strength, the sensitivity was 0.76, and the specificity was 0.67. These data demonstrated that hand strength is a useful indicator for assessing the intraoperative level of consciousness during awake craniotomy.

Investigation into the Effects of Backrest Angle and Stick Location on Female Strength

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of backrest angle and hand maneuver direction on maximum hand strength and to recommend a strength value for the hand-controlled stick of an aircraft. Methods: Forty-eight female subjects were recruited to perform simulated forward–backward and adduction–abduction maneuvers using control sticks. Each subject was free from musculoskeletal disorders and pain. The independent variables included four control maneuvers (forward, backward, adduction, abduction), two right-hand control stick locations (central, side), and three backrest angles (90°, 103°, 108°). The dependent variable was maximum hand strength. Results: The maximum strength for forward maneuvers with both central and side sticks was strongest at a 90° backrest angle (p < 0.001). The maximum strength for adduction maneuvers with both central and side sticks was also strongest at a 90° backrest angle (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the highest strength was observed at a 108° backrest angle when pulling the stick backward (p < 0.001). The abduction strength was significantly stronger than the adduction strength with a central stick (p < 0.001), but the adduction strength was significantly stronger than the abduction strength with a side stick (p < 0.001–p = 0.017). The forward and abduction strength were significantly different in different locations (p < 0.001). The recommended strength in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by the US FAA is higher than the strength values observed in this study. Conclusions: The backrest angle, directions, and location affected the muscular strength. The recommended values should be reevaluated and adjusted for Taiwanese pilots.

Fitness testing in tennis: Influence of anthropometric characteristics, physical performance, and functional test on serve velocity in professional players

The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between anthropometric variables, physical performance, and functional test with serve velocity regarding tennis players’ level and to design regression models that effectively predict serve velocity. A sample of sixteen male tennis players participated in this study (national level = 8, professional level = 7). Anthropometric measurements (body mass, height, body mass index and body segments) and physical test (hand strength, countermovement jump, jump on serve, and serve velocity) and functional test (medicine ball throw overhead and shot put) were performed. No differences in anthropometrics and physical test were found between national and professional levels. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05, ranging for 0.603 to 0.932) was found between some anthropometrics measurements (body mass, height, arm, forearm, and leg segments), physical parameters (hand strength, countermovement jump) and functional test (medicine ball throw shot put and overhead) with serve velocity for all tennis players. Multiple regression analysis indicated that medicine ball throw shot put was the most important test to explain serve velocity (r2 = 0.869). The results showed how the combination of physical and anthropometric factors have an impact on serve velocity. In addition, a new functional fitness test (medicine ball throw shot put) is proposed as an alternative to traditional medicine ball throw overhead due to its high reproducibility (inter-trial reliability) and predictive validity values, as well as by multi-segmental coordination movement similar to tennis serve.

The iHand clinical trial protocol: the therapeutic effect of using a soft-robotic glove as assistive device to support people with impaired hand strength during activities of daily living (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Decline of hand function, especially reduced hand strength, is a common problem amongst many disorders, resulting in difficulties to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). A wearable soft-robotic glove may be a possible solution, enabling use of the affected arm and hand repeatedly during functional daily activities, and providing intensive and task-specific training simultaneously with assistance of hand function. OBJECTIVE The current multi-center uncontrolled intervention study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of an assistive soft-robotic glove (Carbonhand). METHODS The study design consists of three pre-assessments (T0, T1 and T2), a post-assessment (T3) and a follow-up assessment (T4). Participants are patients who experience hand function limitations, which can result from a wide range of chronic disorders. As intervention, all participants will use the Carbonhand glove during ADLs at home for six weeks, with a recommended use of at least 180 minutes/week. The primary outcome measure is handgrip strength and secondary outcome measures are related to arm and hand function, functional arm and hand abilities, amount of glove use and quality of life. RESULTS The first participant was included on the 25th of June 2019. Currently, the iHand study is extended because of the COVID-19 pandemic and data collection and analysis are expected to be completed in 2022. CONCLUSIONS The Carbonhand system is a wearable assistive device, allowing performance of functional activities to be enhanced directly during functional daily activities. At the same time, active movement of the user is encouraged as much as possible, which has potential to provide highly intensive and task-specific training. As such it is one of the first assistive devices incorporating assist-as-needed principles. This is the first powered clinical trial that investigates the unique application of an assistive grip-supporting soft-robotic glove outside of the clinical setting with the aim to have a therapeutic effect. CLINICALTRIAL The iHand study was prospectively registered on March 4th 2019 in the Netherlands Trial Register: NTR NL7561 (www.trialregister.nl/7561).

Timing-Dependent Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Hand Motor Function in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Study

The timing of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is essential for enhancing motor skill learning. Previously, tDCS, before or concurrently, with motor training was evaluated in healthy volunteers or elderly patients, but the optimal timing of stimulation has not been determined. In this study, we aimed to optimize the existing tDCS protocols by exploring the timing-dependent stimulation effects on finger movements in healthy individuals. We conducted a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. The study participants (n = 39) were randomly assigned into three groups: tDCS concurrently with finger tapping training (CON), tDCS prior to finger tapping training (PRI), and SHAM-tDCS simultaneously with finger tapping training (SHAM). In all groups, the subjects participated in five 40-min training sessions for one week. Motor performance was measured before and after treatment using the finger-tapping task (FTT), the grooved pegboard test (GPT), and hand strength tests. tDCS treatment prior to finger tapping training significantly improved motor skill learning, as indicated by the GPT and hand strength measurements. In all groups, the treatment improved the FTT performance. Our results indicate that applying tDCS before training could be optimal for enhancing motor skill learning. Further research is required to confirm these findings.

Diverse Motor Performances Are Related to Incident Cognitive Impairment in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: Late-life cognitive impairment is heterogeneous. This study examined to what extent varied motor performances are differentially associated with incident Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults.Design: Nested substudy.Setting: Communities across metropolitan Chicago.Participants: African American (N = 580) and European American (N = 580) adults without dementia, propensity-balanced by age (mean = 73.2; SD = 6.0), sex (78.4% women), education (mean = 15.6; SD = 3.3) and number of follow ups.Measurements: Cognitive status was assessed annually and based in part on a composite measure of global cognition including 17 cognitive tests. A global motor score was based on 10 motor performances from which 4 motor domains were computed including hand dexterity, hand strength, gait function, and leg strength.Results: During 7 years of follow-up, 166 of 1,160 (14.3%) developed AD. In a proportional hazards model controlling for age, sex, education, and race, each 1-SD higher baseline global motor score was associated with about a 20% reduction in the risk of AD (hazard ratio: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.97). Higher baseline motor function was also associated with decreased risk of incident MCI (hazard ratio: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.92). Hand dexterity, hand strength and gait function but not leg strength were associated with incident AD and MCI. When including all four motor domains in the same model, results remained the same for incident MCI, while for incident AD, the association with hand strength remained significant.Conclusion: Diverse motor performances are associated with late-life cognitive impairment. Further work is needed to identify specific motor performances that may differentiate adults at risk for future MCI or AD dementia.

Correlation between the Ability to Manipulate a Touchscreen Device and Hand Strength and Manual Dexterity among Community-Living Older Individuals

Information regarding the relationship between the degree of hand function among the elderly as measured by traditional assessments and the ability to manipulate touchscreens is lacking. This study aimed to examine the correlation between the ability to manipulate a touchscreen device, as assessed using the touchscreen assessment tool (TATOO) (University of Haifa, Israel & Universetiy of Bologna, Italy), and hand strength and manual dexterity among independent community-living older individuals. Thirty-four community-living older adults (average age 79.4 ± 6.7 years) participated in single-session assessments lasting 45 min each. The assessment included hand strength measurement using the manual hand dynamometry and hydraulic pinch gauge, a functional dexterity test (FDT), and TATOO. No significant correlations were observed between most of the TATOO items (22 out of 26) and handgrip strength, pinch strength, and FDT results. Moderately significant correlations were demonstrated between the number of drag attempts in the “Drag to different directions” task and handgrip strength and manual dexterity (r value: −0.39, p value: 0.02; r value: 0.36, p value: 0.04, respectively). In addition, a moderately significant correlation was noted between the number of double taps and manual dexterity (r value: 0.32, p value: 0.07). These results indicate that more complex gestures that require greater accuracy (dragging task) or rapid movements (double tapping) are related to hand strength and manual dexterity. These results suggest that the manual gestures necessary for touchscreen operation entail unique and specific capabilities that are generally not captured by traditional tools. The clinical implication is that the hand function assessment toolbox should be expanded. Tools such as the TATOO should be used to capture skills required for touchscreen manipulation in the context of the modern digital milieu.

DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF HAND INJURY ATTENDED AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ASSESS SEVERITY OF HAND INJURY WITH HISS SCORE

Background: We conducted this study to establish the predictability of HISS system to hand strength in patients with traumatic hand injury. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 30 hospitalized patients for surgery in in Jaipur due to traumatic hand injury. All of them received rehabilitation occupational therapy in the same trauma center with established protocols and were supervised by the same group of therapists within one month after surgery. Passive/active range of motion exercise, hand grip strength training, proprioception/functional training were included in this standardized protocol. Results: The mean age of patients was 41.36±13.69 Yrs. Among them, 23 patients were male and 7 patients were female. 63.33% were dominant hand injured. The mean value of total HISS score is 53.21 ± 36.35. A positive correlation exists between the differences of the strength of two hands, and the severity shown by HISS system. Conclusion: In conclusion, initial anatomical injury severity assessed by HISS system may predict hand strength in traumatic hand injured patients after an adequate recovery period. Poor hand strength could be expected with initial high total HISS score. Keywords: HISS, Hand injury, Palmer pinch.