Comparison of Force Exertion Characteristics of Sustained Hand Grip and Toe Grip

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the differences in decreasing force during maximal sustained hand grip and toe grip exertions values. Fourteen males aged 18 to 22 years old performed hand and toe grip exertions for 6min. The sustained times of forces 40, 60, 70, and 80% of maximal strength (max), strength values at 90sec and 3min, and final strength value (% of max) were selected as evaluation parameters. The forces (% max) during both sustained grip exertions markedly decreased until about 60sec from their exertion onset, after which they slowly decreased, then decreased very little at 4-6min. Toe grip exertion values were significantly larger than hand grip exertion values until after 60sec from exertion onset (about 15% ～ 20% vs about 30% ～ 35%). Correlations among sustained time parameters (60%～80% max) were significant (r =0.657～0.960). The strength at 3 min in toe grip exertion significantly correlated to final strength, sustained time of forces 40% of max, and strength at 90sec. In summary, the forces during sustained hand grip and toe grip exertions show a similar decreasing tendency, but the latter’s exertion values maintain a higher level than the former’s after a marked decrease. The strength value at 3min for toe grip exertion may be useful as muscle endurance parameter.