Evaluation of Hand Anthropometric Measurements in Amateur Guitar Players

Purpose: For musicians, hand anthropometry is important for playing an instrument. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric measurements and grip strength of the hands of amateur guitar players in comparison with not play any musical instrument.Materials and Methods: Our study included 70 amateur guitar players and 70 individuals with no history of playing a musical instrument. A stadiometer, digital scale, non-flexible tape measure and digital caliper were used for anthropometric measurements, while a hand dynamometer was used for hand grip strength and a digital pinchmeter was used for finger grip strength. 2D:4D and 3D:5D ratios were calculated after the measured finger lengths.Results: Between amateur guitar players and non-players group, statistically significant differences were found between the lengths of the 3rd finger, the first two phalanxes of the 3rd finger, the 5th finger, the first two phalanxes of the 5th finger, and the dorso-volar diameter of the wrist. The 3D:5D ratio, tip pinch, key pinch, palmar pinch and hand grip strength were higher and statistically significant in the guitarist. A significant positive correlation was found between hand grip strength and all parameters except age, 2D:4D and 3D:5D ratios.Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that hand and finger grip strength are important for people who want to play the guitar. The fact that the 3D:5D ratio and all finger grip strengths were found to be higher in guitar players in our study showed that a certain finger strength is needed for people to press chords.