A comparison of the anthropometric measurements, flexibility, and muscle strength of the hands of conservatory piano students and non-musicians

Abstract

In the present study, the anthropometric characteristics and muscle strength of the hands, and the range of motion of the joints of the hands were evaluated in conservatory music students compared to university students who do not play a musical instrument. The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in anthropometric characteristics and muscle strength of the hands and flexibility between these two student groups, to compare the correlations between the different physical features by group, to characterize the students who played the piano, and to evaluate the adaptation process. The study included a total of 128 individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 years, including 64 conservatory students who regularly played the piano for a minimum of two years and university students who did not play any musical instruments as a control group. After the demographic data of every participant were recorded, measurements were taken of body height, body weight, hand anthropometric characteristics, hand flexibility and hand muscle strength for each individual. In the context of the anthropometric measurements, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups except for the right hand span being greater in the piano group. No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of hand and finger grip forces (right and left). However, a significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the flexibility measurements. The range of motion measurements were greater for both the right and left hands in the piano group compared to the non-musician group. Measurements of the range of motion of the wrist and finger joints were greater among the piano players compared to the non-musicians, regardless of hand measurements. Thus, hand size may not be a critical factor in a student musician who selects the piano as their musical instrument.