Evaluation of the grip strength of Korean female hair designers and the usability of a smart IoT grip strength measuring device

Abstract

In this study, we compared the grip strength of female hair designers and female college students using a smart IoT grip strength measuring device and conducted a usability evaluation of the smart IoT grip strength measuring device. The subjects of the study were 30 female hair designers and 27 female college students in their 20s. Of these, 23 participated in the user evaluation. The maximum grip strength of the right and left hands was measured using a smart IoT grip strength measuring device (Soundbody, Korea). The user evaluation consisted of a total of 3 questions on a 5-point scale, including ease of installation of the IoT device, satisfaction with the user interface and interaction with the IoT device, and evaluation of the reliability and performance of the IoT device. As a result of the study, user evaluations of smart IoT grippers showed some dissatisfaction with the ease of installation of smart devices. Still, many positive responses were received regarding the user interface, interaction, reliability, and performance. In this study, the grip strength of the right hand was higher than that of the left hand of the subjects, and the grip strength of hair designers was lower than that of female college students. There was no difference in the right hand of hair designers compared to college students, but the grip strength of the left hand decreased by 66.3%. Frequent upper extremity workers with low loads appear to have low grip strength.