A method for testing and evaluating the dexterity and range of motion of substantially the entire musculoskeletal system of a human test subject, comprising the steps of:
- (a) directing the subject's hand and wrist into a dexterity tester positioned at a first predetermined height and placing the subject into a first posture;
- (b) requiring the subject while in the first posture to manipulate a plurality of mechanical parts in the dexterity tester in a predetermined manner that requires the subject's hand and wrist to undergo a complete range of motion while the wrist is in an awkward position, said awkward position being achieved by confining the wrist within an opening of said dexterity tester while forcing the hand past an obstacle portion of said dexterity tester proximal to its opening before reaching said plurality of mechanical parts;
- (c) measuring the time required for the subject while in the first posture to so manipulate the parts at the first predetermined height;
- (d) thereafter directing the subject's hand and wrist into a dexterity tester positioned at a second predetermined height which is different from said first predetermined height and placing the subject into a second posture which is different from said first posture;
- (e) requiring the subject while in the second posture to manipulate a plurality of mechanical parts in the dexterity tester in a predetermined manner that requires the subject's hand and wrist to undergo a complete range of motion while the wrist is in an awkward position, said awkward position being achieved by confining the wrist within an opening of said dexterity tester while forcing the hand past an obstacle portion of said dexterity tester proximal to its opening before reaching said plurality of mechanical parts;
- (f) measuring the time required for the subject while in the second posture to so manipulate the parts at the second predetermined height independently of the time required for manipulation at the first height;
- (g) thereafter directing the subject's hand and wrist into a dexterity tester positioned at a third predetermined height which is different from both said first and second predetermined heights and placing the subject into a third posture which is different from both said first and second postures;
- (h) requiring the subject while in the third posture to manipulate a plurality of mechanical parts in the dexterity tester in a predetermined manner that requires the subject's hand and wrist to undergo a complete range of motion while the wrist is in an awkward position, said awkward position being achieved by confining the wrist within an opening of said dexterity tester while forcing the hand past an obstacle portion of said dexterity tester proximal to its opening before reaching said plurality of mechanical parts;
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- (i) measuring the time required for the subject while in the third posture to so manipulate the parts at the third predetermined height independently of the time required for manipulations at the first and second heights.