Assessment of Finger Proprioception and Lateral Pinch Strength in Amateur and Professional Guitarists
Abstract
Background: Guitarists use complex and different movement patterns in both hands simultaneously. Applying pressure on the strings and strumming both require good strength whereas playing the melody on the fret-board demands good proprioception. There is a need to find out if guitarists perform functionally well with respect to pinch strength and proprioception which are prerequisites for playing the guitar. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess and compare finger proprioception and pinch strength in amateur and professional guitarists.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted on 50 amateur and 50 professional guitarists from Mumbai. A self-made questionnaire including their demographic data was asked to be filled. Proprioception was measured using the pinch aperture proprioception device and lateral pinch strength was measured using the Jamar® Hydraulic Pinch Gauge. The average of 3 trials was taken for finger proprioception and lateral pinch strength. The data obtained was then taken for further analysis.
Result: Professional guitarists had better finger proprioception (p value = 0.0001 for both right & left hands) and lateral pinch strength (p value =0.0159, 0.0001 for the right & left hand respectively) than amateur guitarists. Also, the left hand had better finger proprioception (p value <0.0001, 0.0059 for amateur & professional guitarists respectively) and right hand had better lateral pinch strength (p value=0.0001 for both professional and amateur guitarists) in both professional and amateur guitarists.
Conclusion: Professional guitarists had significantly better finger Proprioception and lateral pinch strength as compared to the amateur guitarists.
How to cite this article:
Ganjave P, D’souza H. Assessment of Finger Proprioception and Lateral Pinch Strength in Amateur and Professional Guitarists. Ind J Youth Adol Health 2019; 6(4): 6-11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.2880.201916
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