Objective

To study the effect of maintaining the same grip span between the thumb and exerting fingers, on the acting force of these in a power grip.

Methods

We conducted an experiment with 30 participants (15 men and 15 women) who made the gesture of apprehension in a device designed to maintain constant grip span to all fingers in 4 different diameters.

Results

In the range between 0-75 percent of functional grip span of the fingers, the index, middle and ring finger exert a force significantly equal when the aperture diameter is maintained constant.

Conclusions

These findings would reduce exposure to risk factors for carpal canal syndrome (CTS) in cutting activities, by controlling risk factors like strength. We suggest that on the design of tools, the opening distance for all the fingers must remain constant during the act of apprehension.