Contextualising statistical evaluations of pinch force and endurance among young and elderly people using TRIZ techniques

ABSTRACT

This study compares and correlates young and elderly people’s pinch force and endurance, and proposes inventive solutions contextualised from these statistical evaluations using TRIZ techniques. An experiment was performed with 64 young and old adults who were required to pinch an apparatus while wearing a glove with pressure sensors. Participants held their pinch until they could no longer sustain it. Pinch force and endurance time were measured and analysed using Pearson’s correlation and T-Tests. The analyses confirmed that pinch force decreases with lower endurance and vice versa. Apart from the significant difference in elderly and young people’s pinch force and endurance, researchers found that young people sustained pinches longer and at a higher force than elderly people. TRIZ strategies suggested that it is better for objects to 'grasp' the elderly’s fingers in pinch activities rather than the usual way. Elderly people could attempt pinching periodically to conserve endurance and reduce injury risks from highly sustained exertions. This study provides an explicit pathway in developing innovative solutions that help prevent finger-related musculoskeletal risks among elderly people. These solutions have the potential in contributing to advances in ergonomics, mechanical design and biomechanics in the form of hand prosthetics and hand exoskeletons.

KEYWORDS:

• Pinch force
• endurance time
• ergonomics
• TRIZ
• statistics
• elderly

Acknowledgments

This research article is in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree at the Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). The researchers gratefully thank the faculty and university for their support in allowing this research to be carried out. The researchers also thank the Collaboration and Innovation Centre (now known as the Technology Transfer Office) of the R&I Division of Multimedia University for granting the research ethics approval for the project. Finally, the researchers thank Mr Kai Loon Toh for his assistance in the data collection.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during the present study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kian Siong Jee

Mr Kian Siong Jee is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), Multimedia University (MMU). He is currently pursuing his PhD at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). Before joining MMU, he worked in the semiconductor and glove manufacturing industry. He has held various types of job positions such as Senior Equipment Engineer, Plant Maintenance Engineer, and Production Executive. He is currently the Programme Coordinator for the Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DME) programme. His research interests include ergonomics, biomechanics, innovative engineering design, TRIZ, blended learning, quality management and manufacturing engineering.

Seri Rahayu Kamat

Dr Seri Rahayu Kamat is an associate professor and Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, UTeM. She is also the main supervisor for Mr Kian Siong Jee in his PhD study. Her research interests include workstudy, industrial ergonomics, biomechanics and work system design.

Poh Kiat Ng

Ir Ts Dr Poh Kiat Ng is the Deputy Dean of FET, MMU. He received his PhD from UTeM. His research interests include engineering design, ergonomics, TRIZ and usability testing.

Adi Saptari

Ir Dr Adi Saptari is a professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering, President University. He is also a former professor from UTeM. His research interests include optimisation (linear and non-linear), human factors (ergonomics) and technology management.