Orofacial and thumb-index finger ramp-and-hold isometric force dynamics in young neurotypical adults

Steven M. Barlow, Mohsen Hozan, Jaehoon Lee, Jake Greenwood, Rebecca Custead, Brianna Wardyn, Kaytlin Tippin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The relation among several parameters of the ramp-and-hold isometric force contraction (peak force and dF/dt max during the initial phase of force recruitment, and the proportion of hold-phase at target) was quantified for the right and left thumb-index finger pinch, and lower lip midline compression in 40 neurotypical right-handed young adults (20 female/20 males) using wireless force sensors and data acquisition technology developed in our laboratory. In this visuomotor control task, participants produced ramp-and-hold isometric forces as ‘rapidly and accurately’ as possible to end-point target levels at 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 Newtons presented to a computer monitor in a randomized block design. Significant relations were found between the parameters of the ramp-and-hold lip force task and target force level, including the peak rate of force change (dF/dt max ), peak force, and the criterion percentage of force within ±5% of target during the contraction hold phase. A significant performance advantage was found among these force variables for the thumb-index finger over the lower lip. The maximum voluntary compression force (MVCF) task revealed highly significant differences in force output between the thumb-index fingers and lower lip (∼4.47–4.70 times greater for the digits versus lower lip), a significant advantage of the right thumb-index finger over the non-dominant left thumb-index finger (12% and 25% right hand advantage for males and females, respectively), and a significant sex difference (∼1.65–1.73 times greater among males).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)81-89
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Biomechanics
Volume72
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 27 2018

Keywords

  • Hand
  • Isometric force
  • Lower lip
  • Motor control
  • Wireless sensing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Rehabilitation

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