Normative Data on the Maximum Twisting Force for an Elderly Person’s Sustainable Life

Abstract

Most elderly people have difficulty opening a new bottle cap due to the insufficient torque to be applied. The study aims at obtaining normative data on the hand dimensions and the maximum torque that could be generated by elderly persons. This study was conducted on 30 elderly people aged 60 and over. A digital torque meter, digital caliper, and tissue tape were used to measure the maximum torque on a dummy bottle and hand dimensions. SPSS software was used for all statistical analyses. Older men have been found to have larger hand dimensions than older women. However, no significant differences in hand dimensions were found between different age groups. A statistically significant difference was observed between the age group 60–69 years vs. 80–89 years and the age group 70–79 years vs. 80–89 years in maximum torque. The correlation between hand dimensions (thumb width and index finger length) and maximum torque was highly correlated (r = 0.63 and r = 0.62, respectively). Knowledge of the relationship between hand dimensions and maximum torque can be used for future bottle cap designs to meet the needs of the elderly.