Data from: Peak pressure experienced by the human hand during suspension and vertical climbing

Lockwood, Victoria 1 2 ; Lu, Szu-Ching3; Winter, Samantha4 5; Yang, Hui6 1; Kivell, Tracy7

Published Sep 07, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.v9s4mw7bj

Data files

Sep 07, 2026 version files 123.65 KB

Lockwood-et-al_Pressure-and-location-data_14-07-26.xlsx

118.29 KB
README.md

5.36 KB

Abstract

Reconstructions of potential arboreal capabilities in extinct human ancestors (hominins) are typically inferred from upper limb morphology. Arboreal environments are complex with multiple support sizes and orientations. However, data are limited on how arboreal support variables may affect hand loading during arboreal activities. Using a custom-built climbing frame with interchangeable support diameters (45 mm, 80 mm, 105 mm), we investigated the effects of support diameter and horizontal/vertical orientation on the pressure experienced by the human hand during postural and locomotor suspension and vertical climbing (n=14 participants each). Support diameter had a consistent effect on suspension and vertical climbing normalized peak pressure values, but thumb positioning or postural versus locomotor activities had no significant relationship. The 45 mm diameter had significantly greater normalized peak pressure values compared to the 80 mm and 105 mm diameters. Postural and locomotor activity differences were only observed during vertical climbing but varied with support diameter size. Suspension and vertical climbing frequently load the third ray but distal-proximal peak pressure location patterns differ with support orientation. Support diameter and, less so, orientation influence the magnitude of loading in the human hand during the investigated arboreal behaviors. Peak pressure location patterns can distinguish suspension and vertical climbing locomotor categories within our experimental setting.

Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.v9s4mw7bj

Description of the data and file structure

Data on peak pressure value and peak pressure location in the human hand during postural (thumb adducted and thumb abducted) and locomotory suspension and vertical climbing were collected across three support diameters (45mm, 80mm, 105mm).

Files and variables

File: Lockwood-et-al_Pressure-and-location-data_14-07-26.xlsx

Worksheet tabs:

Code_explanations: Explanations of the sheet titles and general codes used throughout the dataset.
Suspension_Raw: Suspension, all raw peak pressure value data.
Suspension_Location_all: Suspension, all peak pressure location data.
S_mean_normalized_peak_pressure: Suspension, participant mean normalized peak pressure by diameter and activity category.
S_Static_Dynamic: Suspension, participant mean normalized peak pressure values for combined (mean) static activities, alongside the dynamic activity, per diameter. Calculated using mean normalized peak pressure values per participant, per diameter, per activity (previous sheet).
Suspension_AllActivityMean: Suspension, participant mean normalized peak pressure by diameter (all activity categories combined). Calculated using mean normalized peak pressure values per participant, per diameter, per activity (previous sheet).
VC_Raw_all: Vertical climbing, all raw peak pressure value data.
VC_On_mat_only_Location: Vertical climbing, hand on mat only peak pressure location data.
VC_mean_normalized_peakpressure: Vertical climbing, participant mean normalized peak pressure by diameter and activity category.
VC_Static_Dynamic: Vertical climbing, participant mean normalized peak pressure values for combined (mean) static activities, alongside the dynamic activity, per diameter. Calculated using mean normalized peak pressure values per participant, per diameter, per activity (previous sheet).

Variables

Participant_ID: Assigned identifier for each participant.
Diameter_mm: Support size in mm used in a specific trial (45[mm], 80[mm], 105[mm]).
Activity: 1 static thumb adducted, 2 static thumb abducted, 3 dynamic.
Activity1: 'Activity' variable but written using characters instead of numeric.
Static_dynamic: 0 Static (postural) activity, 1 dynamic (locomotor) activity.
Over_mat: 0 Whole hand on the pressure mat, 1 part of hand over the edge of the pressure mat
Peak_pressure_kPa: The greatest pressure (kPa) value registered during a specific trial.
Normalized_peak_pressure: Peak pressure normalized by the value of hand area (third ray length x palm width) divided by body mass. Peak pressure / ((third ray length x palm width)/body mass)) Biometric data are available and summarized in the research article and associated supplementary information.
Mean_normalized_peak_pressure: The mean 'normalized peak pressure' value per participant, diameter, activity combination.
Mean_static_dynamic_Mean_normalized_peak_pressure: The mean value for combined static activities (thumb adducted and thumb abducted) alongside the dynamic activity value. Calculated using the mean normalized peak pressure values.
All_activity_mean_Mean_normalized_peak_pressure: Mean of all activities (1, 2, 3) combined for each diameter for each participant. Calculated using the mean normalized peak pressure values.
RadialUlnar_location: Location of peak pressure within the hand using the radial to ulnar classification. 1 1st Ray, 2 2nd Ray, 3 3rd Ray, 4 4th Ray, 5 5th Ray, 6 2nd and 4th Rays, 7 3rd and 4th Rays, 8 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Rays, 9 2nd and 3rd Rays, 10 1st and 3rd Rays, 11 4th and 5th Rays, 12 1st and 2nd Rays, 13 1st and 5th Rays, 14 1st and 4th Rays, 15 2nd and 5th Rays.
RadialUlnar_location1: 'RadialUlnar_location' variable but written using characters instead of numeric.
DistalProximal_location: Location of peak pressure within the hand using the distal to proximal classification. 1 Distal phalanges, 2 Intermediate phalanges, 3 Proximal phalanges, 4 Metacarpal heads, 5 Metacarpal bases, 6 Intermediate phalanges and metacarpal bases, 7 Distal phalanges and metacarpal bases, 8 Intermediate phalanges and distal phalanges, 9 Metacarpal heads and metacarpal bases, 10 Distal phalanges, metacarpal heads and metacarpal bases, 11 Proximal phalanges and metacarpal bases, 12 Distal phalanges and proximal phalanges, 13 Metacarpal heads, proximal phalanges and intermediate phalanges, 14 Metacarpal heads and proximal phalanges, 15 Metacarpal heads and distal phalanges.
DistalProximal_location1: 'DistalProximal_location' variable but written using characters instead of numeric.

Code/software

The data file opens in Microsoft Excel. Statistical analyses were run in R.

Access information

Other publicly accessible locations of the data:

Data was derived from the following sources:

Human subjects data

Consent was obtained from participants for the publication of the data. The data have been anonymized via removal of all identifiable information and use of assigned participant identifiers.