Precisionsgrepp

Precisionsgrepp, commonly referred to in English as precision grip, is a grasp configuration in which an object is held between the tip of the thumb and the pads of the fingers, enabling fine manipulation and control of small objects. This contrasts with power grip, where the object is secured by the whole hand.

Mechanics and sensory feedback: The grip depends on opposition of the thumb against the index finger (and sometimes the middle finger), coordinated by extrinsic and intrinsic hand muscles, with tactile and proprioceptive feedback from the fingertips guiding force and orientation.

Development and neuroscience: In humans, precision grip ability develops in infancy alongside other fine motor skills; the emergence of the pincer grasp typically occurs around 9 to 12 months. In adults, motor planning for precision grip involves cortical and subcortical networks that integrate vision, proprioception, and touch.

Applications and research: The concept informs diverse fields such as ergonomics, rehabilitation, prosthetics, and robotics. In robotics, designers create dexterous grippers and anthropomorphic hands that emulate precision grip. Researchers quantify grip using force sensors and motion capture, assessing grip force, orientation, and object slip.

Etymology and usage: The term is used in Swedish-language biomechanics literature as precisionsgrepp, and is sometimes used interchangeably with precision grip in cross-language texts.