Griffposition

Griffposition refers to the chosen configuration of the hand’s grip on a tool or instrument, encapsulating how the fingers, thumb, and wrist are arranged during manipulation. In ergonomics and biomechanics, Griffposition affects the efficiency of force transmission, precision, and fatigue. The term is used across domains such as sports, rehabilitation, surgical instrument handling, robotics, and human–machine interfaces to describe and optimize how a device is held.

A Griffposition is defined by grip type (power grip, precision grip, or mixed configurations), finger placement, thumb opposition, and forearm/wrist alignment (neutral, pronated, or supinated). Small deviations can alter torque, control, and load on joints. Designers often target specific Griffpositions for particular tasks to improve safety and performance, and athletic coaches teach standardized grips for equipment like racquets, clubs, or climbing holds.

Assessment methods include video analysis, motion capture, electromyography, and pressure mapping on handles. Through ergonomic studies, recommended Griffpositions reduce strain on the wrist and forearm, increase stability, and enable consistent performance. In robotics and haptic devices, Griffposition informs gripper design and control algorithms.

Etymology and history: The compound draws on German Griff ("grip") and Position ("position"), with usage emerging in mid-20th-century ergonomic literature and spreading into English-language biomechanics and design sciences.