DISCUSSION
Ninety percent of the population is right-handed, and most living environments are designed for the right-handed12). Designs focused on the righted-handed cause many difficulties for left-handed persons, but studies of this issue are rare13). This study is intended to lay a scientific foundation for left-hander intervention through quantified analysis of the function of the dominant upper extremity of left-handers when conducting work-related tasks.
The results suggest that in the writing activity, left-handers flexed the wrist more than right-handers. In addition, the muscle activations of the FCU and FCR, as well as that of the UT on the writing hand side, were higher among left-handers than right-handers. The results are meaningful in that they scientifically identify the function of the upper extremity based on the dominant hand, as there has previously been insufficient empirical data on the subject. In addition, it is thought that accumulation of with regard to left-handers will expand understanding in this area. Based on the results of this study, there is a need to more realistically consider stress in left-handers resulting from the left hand in a world where right-handers task the lead.
This study was conducted on people with normal use of the left hand. In left-handers, the risks musculoskeletal disorders and performance problems were previously examined. Therefore, left-handers with musculoskeletal disorders would have even bigger risk factors. Among them, stroke is the disease most characteristic of kinetic function disorder14). There is a need to examine whether there are differences in work performance between cases in which stroke patients began to use the right hand because of hemiparalysis on the left side and cases in which stroke patients began to use the left hand because of hemiparalysis on the right side. This would provide importance evidence for proving the lowered work performance of left-handers. This study could be expanded to examine schizophrenia and other developmental disorders with a high occurrence rate among left-handers.
This study is meaningful in that it offers scientific data in consideration of left-handers, given that there is insufficient ergonomic research based on dominant hand. In addition, this study is meaningful in that it confirmed the need for an occupational therapy approach aimed at enhancing work performance and maximizing independence.