Pencil Grasp, Legibility and Muscle Activation

A recent study was published on pencil grasp, legibility and muscle activation. The researchers evaluated differences in the handwriting characteristics of thirty-four 18-22-year-old subjects when using the four primary handwriting grip styles: dynamic quadrupod, dynamic tripod, lateral quadrupod, and lateral tripod.

Methodology of the Study

All of the participants completed three protocols involving tests of handwriting legibility on paper. Consistency and metric testing were performed using surface electromyography (EMG) to measure the activity of 6 muscles involved while handwriting on a digital writing tablet to measure stroke duration, length, velocity, and pen pressure.

Each individual used each of the four grip styles with all protocols, and scores were normalized to their native grip scores.

Results of the Study on Pencil Grasp, Legibility and Muscle Activation

Following data analysis the researchers discovered that:

females had a lower range in legibility scores than males.
pencil grasp style did not impact legibility.
for muscle activation the upper trapezius was more active in the lateral grips compared to dynamic tripod grip
the dynamic tripod grip had more extensor carpi ulnaris activity than the lateral tripod grip.

The researchers concluded that females are likely to be able to use any grip style with little effect on legibility, but males’ legibility scores may drop more.

The elevated upper trapezius activity possibly indicates that the lateral grip styles involve more whole-arm, stabilizing movements. The increased extensor carpi ulnaris activity may indicate that dynamic grip pencil grasp styles require a high degree of dexterity movements.

Reference: Farris, K; Fehrenbacher, R; Hayes, E; McEvoy, R; Smith, A; and McCulloch, R (2019) “THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND HANDWRITING QUALITY WITH DIFFERENT GRIP STYLES,” International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 8 : Iss. 7 , Article 57.

Resources to Help with Pencil Grasp, Occupational Therapy and/or Handwriting

Pencil Grasp Interventions digital download was created by Thia Triggs, OTR. She reports that as a school-based Occupational Therapist, the most frequent issue teachers ask her about is pencil grasp. “Is this grasp OK?”, “What should I do about this grasp?” “Should I give my student a pencil gripper?” “What pencil gripper should I use?”. FIND OUT MORE.