Like our toes, our fingers are another body part we tend to ignore.
Our hands are often the first point of contact with our environment, and movement with our hands is a primary way of communicating.
The fingers grip and pick up things, squeeze pimples out, scroll through electronic gadgets, smack a child’s bottom, etc – basically, they manipulate objects to accomplish a goal.
All those tiny daily movements they make means our fingers are subject to a lot of repetitive tasks, which can eventually take a toll.
German philosopher Immanuel Kant called the hand the human outer brain, while Hungarian psychologist Géza Révész thought the hand is frequently more intelligent than the head.
Our elongated thumb is able to oppose our fingers, and hence control objects and instruments with a far greater degree of precision than primates and other animals.
The small or intrinsic muscles in the hand allow fine control of the thumb and fingers, although some fingers work harder than others.
Depending on how it’s measured, the verdict out there is that the index or middle finger is the strongest on the human hand.
Kept straight, the index finger can exert the most strength – enough to support your entire body weight.
You may have seen Shaolin martial artists and yogis perform two-finger handstands and push-ups.
However, the middle finger can exert the most arched strength due to its length and position.
Whatever remarkable feats our thumb and four fingers can achieve, it’s a fact that we seldom exercise them in a structured manner.
Having manicures and applying moisturiser leave them pretty, but the muscles still need to be worked to keep the fingers functional.
Here are some simple exercises you can do to strengthen the finger and thumb extensor muscles.
These are particularly useful for those with mild arthritis or are constantly on their mobile phones.
It’s not necessary to do these exercises daily – twice or thrice a week should suffice.
The only tool you need is a rubber band, and perhaps a golf ball.
Before you start, flick your wrists a few times to loosen up the joints.
Revathi Murugappan is a certified fitness trainer who tries to battle gravity and continues to dance to express herself artistically and nourish her soul. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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Finger exercises
Make a fist: To start, make a tight fist, with the thumb outside. Hold for five seconds, then stretch out all the fingers for another five seconds. — Photos: REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star
Make a C: Place a rubber band over your fingers and thumb, and create the letter "C”. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds, then relax and repeat a few times.
Meet the thumb: Hold your hand out in front of you and gently use your thumb to touch each of your four fingertips and make the shape "O”. Keep the other fingers straight. Hold each stretch for 10 seconds.
Play the piano: Place your palm facing down on a flat surface and lift each finger up as high as you can, one at a time. Hold each stretch for 10 seconds. If it becomes too easy, use a rubber band for added resistance.
Finger abduction: Place your palm on a flat surface and loop (or double loop) a rubber band between two fingers, beginning with the index and middle fingers. Try to move them apart as far as possible. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and release. Move on to the middle and ring fingers, then ring finger and pinky, before repeating the exercise.
Thumb abduction: Place your palm on a flat surface with a rubber band around the fingers and thumb. Move your thumb as far away from the four fingers as you can and hold the stretch for 10 seconds before relaxing.
Golf ball roll: Once you’re done with the rubber band, you can add on this tension-releasing exercise using a golf ball. Place the golf ball on a flat surface and put your palm over it. Using a circular motion, roll the ball from the bottom of the palm to the top, sides, fingers and back around, making sure you hit every point. If it’s too easy, apply a bit more pressure and pause a little longer at the tender spots. After rolling the perimeter, massage the centre with small circles, clockwise and anti-clockwise. Repeat five times.
