Performance Modeling Using Anthropometry for Minority Population.

The purpose of this study is to develop predictive models for grip strength, dexterity and manipulability, for four minority populations using anthropometry. A total of sixty subjects representing Hispanics, African Americans, Asian Indians and Vietnamese participated in this study. Subjects performed the three tasks for the following five hand conditions: bare hand, cotton gloves, Kevlar gloves, leather gloves and vinyl gloves. Grip strength was measured using a standard Jamar hand dynamometer. A pegboard task was used to measure the dexterity of the subjects. Manipulability was measured using knot-tying task. Models were developed with linear modeling techniques. Hand breadth was found to be the most contributing factor for all the three tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]