Examination of dexterity as a function of hand size and occupation using the Purdue Pegboard

The purpose of this study was to examine potential differences in the level of dexterity between large handed individuals and small handed individuals. Each subject's hand size was determined by measuring palmar girth. Palmar girth measurements greater than one standard deviation from the mean palmar girth were classified as large and the palmar girth measurements at least one standard deviation below the mean palmar girth were classified as small hand size. The subjects included males from an agrarian population and from an industrial population. The Purdue Pegboard was used to test bilateral hand dexterity. Each subject performed the Purdue Pegboard test according to established testing procedures. Results were examined to determine if any differences in performance were evident between occupations and between larger sized hands versus smaller sized hands. Additionally, results were examined in terms of whether there was a particular occupation that comprised the larger hand size group. Although a difference was found in performance between groups (agrarian and industrial), no difference in performance was found as a function of hand size. Also, the agrarian population was not identified as having predominantly large hands as compared with the industrial population.