A predictor of overall strength throughout the body is hand grip strength. It is often used as a metric for assessing muscle function and physical capability. A decline in muscle mass, strength and function is also associated with aging and in some individuals can be equated with health related issues.
In athletics training the hands are an important consideration, whether it be to lift more weight or engage in sport related activities. The total force of the hand is greatest when using all 5 fingers, grip strength measured without the use of the middle, ring and little finger is the lowest. Total force can be computed by adding up the sum of the absolute values of each individual digit.
What complicates all of this is that when grasping, the application force of the hand is dependent on many variables. Not only is the shape and size of an object important in applying one’s strength, but how it is held. Finger spreading and which fingers have the best surface contact dictates the squeezing force that an individual can apply.
A single finger’s power depends not only on its own grip span and surface area, but also on the grip spans of and the amount of contact of the associated fingers. In addition to squeezing the fingers you must also have the ability to apply ab and adduction forces, as well, because objects push, pull, twist, and yank all changing one’s ability to hold on or manipulate.
In athletics it is extremely important that each finger is trained and developed. We never know which fingers’ strength or how we will need to grasp can and will affect the outcome of a critical moment in a sporting event.
There are countless examples and videos of finger-tip catches and tackles in football on the internet and fans have seen and experienced this occurring in games throughout sports. As a participating athlete you are very aware that there have been many instances that one’s grasp helped or failed to help that led to the outcome of an event that the public never noticed.
The message is this: all muscle groups are important in one’s development, even the smallest muscles of your fingers. To be your best and give your best, train the entire system.
The Pendulum Grip Cart was designed to provide the tools necessary to Get each digit Strong.
The Pendulum Grip Cart
