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Purpose This study aimed to explore the differences in muscle activity, handwriting legibility, and consistency when using the 4 primary handwriting grip styles: dynamic quadrupod (DQ), dynamic tripod, lateral quadrupod (LQ) and lateral tripod. Study Design and Methods Thirty-four 18-22-year-old participants completed a handwriting legibility test on paper as well as consistency and metrics tests using both surface electromyography and a digital writing tablet. Electromyography was used to measure the activity of 6 muscles associated with handwriting, and the tablet measured stroke duration, length, velocity, and pen pressure. Subjects used each grip style with all protocols and scores were normalized to their native grip. Significance was set at P Results Females had a lower range in legibility scores than males by 3.5% ± 1.7% (p = .046, d = 0.713), but grip style did not impact legibility. The upper trapezius (UT) was more active in the lateral tripod and LQ grips compared to DQ by 16.8% ± 5.2% and by 13.8% ± 5.2%, (p = .007, p = .012, respectively, partial η2 = 0.188). The stroke duration was greater in the LQ grip style than dynamic tripod and DQ grip styles (p = .008, p = .023, respectively; partial η2 = 0.123). Conclusions Lateral grip styles involve more whole-arm, stabilizing movements while dynamic grip styles require fine dexterous movements. Furthermore, females are likely to be able to employ any grip with minimal effect on legibility. For a patient needing guidance in rehabilitation, understanding the differences in grips could aid selection of the optimum grip style to employ based on their muscular control deficits.

Legislative design was a critical question at the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The peculiar compromise that was struck—featuring proportional and republican elements—defies the logic of the Convention’s majority rule. We investigate how in establishing the new national legislature, small state delegates were able to prevail over the large state majority and secure the Connecticut Compromise. We argue that the small state coalition’s victory owes to their strategy at a critical juncture: the Gerry Committee. The Gerry Committee amplified the contours of the debate over legislative design and the careful curation of its participants precipitated a shift of structural and creative freedom allowing for the consideration of alternative solutions. The Committee produced an environment favorable to a compromise on legislative structure and power by manipulating the policy dimensions connecting representation, taxation, and slavery. Participant curation was essential in allowing political opponents—the small states—to overcome unfavorable conditions, maximize utility, and craft a proposal capable of approval by delegates and eventual constitutional ratification.

Simulations offer opportunities for students to receive instruction in political strategies and practice developing political skills without the real-world consequences faced by policymakers. Budge...