title: The influence of cooling forearm/hand and gender on estimation of handgrip strength.
abstract: Handgrip strength is essential in manual operations and activities of daily life, but the influence of forearm/hand skin temperature on estimation of handgrip strength is not well documented. Therefore, the present study intended to investigate the effect of local cooling of the forearm/hand on estimation of handgrip strength at various target force levels (TFLs, in percentage of MVC) for both genders. A cold pressor test was used to lower and maintain the hand skin temperature at 14°C for comparison with the uncooled condition. A total of 10 male and 10 female participants were recruited. The results indicated that females had greater absolute estimation deviations. In addition, both genders had greater absolute deviations in the middle range of TFLs. Cooling caused an underestimation of grip strength. Furthermore, a power function is recommended for establishing the relationship between actual and estimated handgrip force. Statement of relevance: Manipulation with grip strength is essential in daily life and the workplace, so it is important to understand the influence of lowering the forearm/hand skin temperature on grip-strength estimation. Females and the middle range of TFL had greater deviations. Cooling the forearm/hand tended to cause underestimation, and a power function is recommended for establishing the relationship between actual and estimated handgrip force. Practitioner Summary: It is important to understand the effect of lowering the forearm/hand skin temperature on grip-strength estimation. A cold pressor was used to cool the hand. The cooling caused underestimation, and a power function is recommended for establishing the relationship between actual and estimated handgrip force.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Manipulation with grip strength is essential in daily life and the workplace, so it is important to understand the influence of lowering the forearm/hand skin temperature on grip-strength estimation. Females and the middle range of TFL had greater deviations. Cooling the forearm/hand tended to cause underestimation, and a power function is recommended for establishing the relationship between actual and estimated handgrip force.
  It is important to understand the effect of lowering the forearm/hand skin temperature on grip-strength estimation. A cold pressor was used to cool the hand. The cooling caused underestimation, and a power function is recommended for establishing the relationship between actual and estimated handgrip force
authors.affiliation: a Department of Industrial Management , National Taiwan University of Science and Technology , Taipei , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Chan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yuh-Chuan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Yue-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chia-Fen
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cold immersion; hand manipulation; handgrip-strength estimation; power function