Hand Fatigue Analysis Using Quantitative Evaluation of Variability in Drawing Patterns

Background & aim: Muscle fatigue is defined as the reduced power generation capacity of a muscle or muscle group after activity which can lead to a variety of lesions. The purpose of the present study was to define the fatigue analysis by quantitative analysis using drawing patterns. Methods: the present cross-sectional study was conducted on 37 healthy volunteers (6 men and 31 women) aged 18-30 years. Before & immediately after a fatigue protocol, quantitative assessment of hand drawing skills was performed by drawing repeated, overlapping, and concentric circles. The test was conducted in three sessions with an interval of 48-72 hours. Drawing was recorded by a digital tablet. Data were statistically analyzed using paired t-test and repeated measure ANOVA. Result: In drawing time series data analysis, at fatigue level of 100%, the variables standard deviation along x axis (SDx), standard deviation of velocity on both x and y axis (SDVx and SDVy) and resultant vector velocity standard deviation (SDVR), showed significant differences after fatigue (P<0.05). In comparison of variables after the three fatigue levels, SDx showed significant difference (P