EFFECT OF UPPER LIMB EXERCISES ON GRIP STRENGTH IN PIANO PLAYERS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Muscle memory is best achieved by asking the muscle to perform with consistent repetition of
the intended task. When playing an instrument, smaller distal muscle groups are required to “fine-tune” the sound,
while the larger proximal muscle groups produce the basic sound production. Majority of the piano players
experience pain in the fingers and wrist. In musicians, the distal upper-limb musculature is overused and proximal
upper-limb and trunk muscle groups are neglected. This study aims to find out the effect of upper limb exercises on
grip strength in piano players.
METHODOLOGY: Experimental study and convenient sampling method. 30 healthy piano players both male and
female between the age 18 years to 30 years were selected according to selection criteria. The hand dynamometer
was given to analyze their grip strength (the average of the three trails were taken). After that participant
were divided into two groups: GROUP A with 15 piano players as the experimental group. GROUP B with 15 piano
players as the control group and exercise protocol was followed by the experimental group for 3 weeks. After 3
weeks of exercise, the participants were given hand dynamometer to analyze their hand grip strength as post-test to
find the effect of these upper limb exercises.