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Finger Adduction (Card Squeeze)

Draftstrength45%beginner⬤ expert-opinion evidence
View FHIR resourceFHIR R4 ActivityDefinition — the interoperable form of this exercise

Positions & Range of Motion

Start
seated with the hand resting and fingers held long and straight, a card/coin/thin object placed between two adjacent fingers
End
adjacent fingers squeezed together to clamp the card so it cannot be pulled out, pressure held ~5 s
Range of Motion
finger adduction — small MCP adduction excursion to closed-gap, then largely isometric hold

How to Perform

Squeeze a card, coin, or thin object between adjacent fingers to load the palmar interossei.

Watch on YouTube↗

Opens a YouTube search for “Finger Adduction (Card Squeeze)”

Starting position: seated

Coaching Cues

  1. 1

    Long, straight fingers — palmar interossei hold the gap closed

    (verbal)
  2. 2

    Pinch the card so it can't be tugged out

    (verbal)
  3. 3

    Hold the pressure for five seconds, then release

    (verbal)
  4. 4

    Free hand tugs gently on the card to test the grip

    (tactile)

Evidence-Based Dosing & EMG Data

Recommended Dosing

10 reps per finger pair, daily (no published evidence; extrapolated).

EMG Activation Data

No published EMG for palmar interossei isolation.

Muscles Involved (2)

Primary Movers

Palmar Interossei— No EMG data

Stabilizers

Dorsal Interossei (Hand)— Antagonist; co-contraction

Easier Variations ↓

1

Thicker Objects

Easier to grip.

Harder Variations ↑

1

Thinner Objects

Paper → card stock → business card.

2

Pull Resistance

Therapist pulls the card to grade effort.

Target Movements (1)

Finger Adduction (MCP)Metacarpophalangeal Joints

Why This Exercise Matters

Everyday activities this exercise helps you do — essential means it directly trains the capacity the task needs:

Gripping a CupOpening a Jar

Goals This Helps With

Rehab, performance, prevention, and mobility goals this exercise supports — essential means it's a cornerstone:

Improve Grip Strengthperformance