The Effects of Upper Limb Exercises on Hand Writing Speed Nilukshika KVK1, Nanayakkarawasam PP2, Wickramasinghe VP3 1Undergraduate, Allied Health Science unitUniversity of Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2Lecturer, Allied Health Science unitUniversity of Colombo, Sri Lanka. 3Senior Lecturer, Department of Paediatricss, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Correspondence Address: Wickramasinghe VP, Department of Paediatrics, University of Colombo, Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 112688748 Fax: +94 112691581 (Email: pujithaw@yahoo.com)
Online published on 31 October, 2012. Abstract Introdution Hand writing is an essential tool required by students. It is a complex process which involves close coordination between musculo skeletal and nervous systems. Objective To assess the effectiveness of upper limb exercises on handwriting speed. Methodology An interventional prospective study involving undergraduate students. Structured exercise programe was held five days a week (for about 20 minutes) for 4 weeks. Writing speed, strength of palmar pinch grip and upper limb coordination was measured at beginning, two and four weeks later. Results At the beginning hand writing speed was 23.9 wpm. The pinch grip strength and coordination of upper limb were, 3.8kg and 8.6 (pegs/15 seconds) respectively. Exercise programme showed statistical significant improvement in all 3 areas measured. There was a 21% improvement in hand writing speed, 41.7% improvement in Pinch grip strength of dominant hand and 11.9% improvement in upper limb coordination. Conclusions Uppers limb exercise programmes can be used to improve the hand writing speed. Top Keywords Upper Limb Exercise, Hand Writing Speed. Top |