Avlastningsarmstöd till Grip-it : Optimal positionering av övre extremitet vid gripstyrkemätningar

Sammanfattning: In today’s technological society, there are increasingly less physical demands on the locomotor system. However, despite that notion strength and function in the hand’s complex biomechanical system are in fact both needed to cope with daily life. The grip function is a main function in the hand and is used in many examples of scientific research, for instance when assessing physical health and predicting the probabilities of premature mortality. A newly developed tool for assessing grip strength is Grip-it which today lacks support for the arm which would offer a standardized measured position for the upper extremity. The objective of this project was to design and evaluate a support for the arm that positions the upper extremity for maximum power capacity when assessing the amount of grip strength. A dynamic product development based on anthropometrical data has been applied to design a support for the arm with focus on the user. Literature surveys, preliminary studies and an evaluation of clinical personnel have provided the basis for a functional prototype, developed in close contact with the industry, and is now ready for user tests. The group of the project is of the opinion that there are good possibilities of developing a finished product, which would enable a standardized positioning when assessing the amount of grip strength with Grip-it. With new technology, Grip-it expands possibilities of analyzing grip strength assessments and can lead to an expanded research and understanding of these assessments, subsequently applicable to rehabilitation, various sports and evaluations of certain actions taken, such as surgical ones.