Why the 300-year-old finger challenge is hard to do for non-piano players

"I'm a violin of 25+ years and pianist of 3 years, so this is actually kinda easy for me".

New Delhi | January 22, 2025 08:00 PM IST

3 min read

Can you do this finger challenge? (Source: Freepik)

Recently, we spotted a unique fitness challenge on social media that requires physical strength and precise mind-body coordination. Yes, we are indeed referring to the ‘300-year-old finger challenge’, which is believed to be challenging for non-piano players.

The challenge requires a person to place all five fingers on a flat surface and then raise their second and fourth finger together while the rest stay down and then switch to raising their thumb, third, and pinky fingers while the other two are on the surface.

When a page Ridley Academy posted about it, many netizens found it difficult but some piano players admitted to acing it with ease. “11 years of piano practice and I could do it with no problem”, a user wrote, as another added, “As a pianist, it is very easy to.” There was another comment that read: “I’m a violin of 25+ years and pianist of 3 years, so this is actually kinda easy for me”.

So, we turned to a neurologist to understand more about the challenge.

This can be explained based on muscles controlling extension movements of different fingers, as well as by interconnections between adjacent tendons of extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscles, which are responsible for the extension of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers.

This challenge requires mental agility (Source: Freepik)

According to consultant neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, there is a separate muscle for extension of the thumb, index finger, and little finger. “Therefore, moving them separately (one at a time) is relatively easier. However, EDC muscles control the extension of four fingers (except the thumb). So, while trying to move one or more of them, other fingers also show a certain amount of movement,” said Dr Kumar.

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Though it is difficult, “it is still possible to move fingers in a coordinated manner (akin to piano players) after training and practice”, noted Dr Kumar.

“On the other hand, people suffering from certain diseases such as arthritis, stroke, Dupuytren’s contracture, etc, may find it more difficult or may not be able to complete this particular challenge,” said Dr Kumar.

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