Effect of Hand Strength on Handwriting Pyrformance: An Investigation

Abstract

The purpose of this stu~y was to determine if a relationship exists between hand strength and handwriting performance among early elementary age children. This study was designed to test the effects of a hand-strengthening program on handwriting performance among children entering first and second grade. The 19 children were tested on grip and pin~h strength, visual motor skills, and handwriting performance at the beginning and at the end of the trial period. The ~hildren were· divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group participated in functional age-appropriate resistive fine motor tasks three times a week over a seven-week period. No significant changes in strength, handwriting performance, or visual motor skills were obtained in the treatment group or the control group. However there were improvements in subjective areas not included in this study' s outcome measures.