Grindclaw ® the lab

The effect of various products for support of the gamer’s wrist on fine motor skills was tested by Aimlab program (Statespace, 2018) in 4 esports professionals using 6 standardised tests following each other and 4 ergonomic scenarios on different days. The same computer mouse and mouse mat were used in all the tests. While playing, different products influenced certain movements in different ways (Figure 1). Improved gliding of the wrist with computer mouse was seen in GrindClaw glove and Carpio wrist support, but Carpio limited rotation and side movements of the wrist. Overall, playing with GrindClaw has shown a +14% increase in the total score which was the highest result compared with playing without any or using other products (Figure 2), i.e., improvement of fine motor function of the wrist was observed.

Medical high resolution digital infrared thermal camera (ICI ETI 7320 Pro) with specialized program for thermal imaging analysis (IR Flash Medical Version 2.14.14.4.) was used to detect the compression of soft tissues and blood microcirculation in the wrist while using various products for gamer’s wrist for at least 3 hours of intensive playing. Due to prolonged sitting, sedentary behaviour, and reduced heat production by body muscles during 3-hour-long gaming, decrease in the wrist temperature in all test participants and all products tested was observed, starting from the second hour despite constant room temperature (Figure 3). On the other hand, slight increase of skin temperature above the forearm muscles was observed after prolonged gaming because of intensive load for forearm muscles.

Infrared digital thermal images indicating lower arm skin temperature changes while gaming for 3 hours and using Grindclaw in standard environmental conditions

It was found that Grindclaw glove of appropriate size doesn’t cause significant compression of the wrist tissues (Figure 4) and effect on peripheral microcirculation is comparable to playing just with computer mouse without any additional product. Besides, in playing without any product and supporting the wrist just on the table surface, compression of the wrist basement was even higher, but Grindclaw reduced this pressure. It can be concluded that Grindclaw is safe for blood circulation in the wrist during prolonged use.

Infrared digital thermal images indicating lower arm skin temperature before and after 3-hour-long gaming and Grindclaw use in standard environmental conditions (first row: before the test A. dorsal surface, B. volar surface of the lower arm and wrist; second row: after 3 hours C. dorsal surface, D. volar surface of the lower arm and wrist; colour scale on the right side shows corresponding temperature, ºC)

Skin moisture (TEWL – TransEpidermal Water Loss) of the palm, wrist basement and dorsal surface of the wrist was measured by Tewameter TM 300 (Figure 5) to assess how breathable the gloves and other products for gamer’s wrist are. The measurements were taken before playing, every hour, and after 3 hours of intensive playing immediately after the removal of the glove. Wrist basement has shown the lowest skin moisture while using GrindClaw (Figure 6) comparing to other scenarios tested. Moisture of the dorsal surface of the wrist in GrindClaw was similar to that seen while using Carpio, where skin was uncovered. But overall, skin moisture of the wrist dorsal surface didn’t change significantly between different products tested.

Palm sweating increased during intensive playing (because sweating increases, when person is stressed) but decreased after rest periods (Figure 7). Figure 7 shows differences between palm moisture by products tested. Minimal increase of palm skin moisture was observed while using GrindClaw in comparison with other scenarios.

Overall, the tests have shown that GrindClaw material has good permeability for water vapours and doesn’t cause excessive sweating.

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a measurement of electric activity in skeletal muscles which is registered on the surface of the skin. This method provides an opportunity to objectively assess the extent of muscle contraction (i.e., tension and work produced in muscles). The higher the load applied to the muscle the higher voltage is registered on the surface of the skin above the corresponding muscle. Analysing sEMG data by manual dexterity tests (Figure 8), it can be concluded that significantly lower load for Right extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscle was revealed in Grindclaw tests in comparison with other scenarios.