Hand grip strength in young adults and its relation with anthropometry: A study in parts of Eastern India

Abstract

Background: It is widely accepted that grip strength is the best and most reliable indicator to measure the functional integrity of the arm and the factors influencing the grip strength are muscle strength, age, nutritional status, restricted movement, body posture, etc. The synergistic interplay of flexor and extensor groups of muscles are the important determinants for muscle contraction and grip strength. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study is to assess and compare the maximum grip strength of young medical students (both male and female) from rural areas and also to study any association and correlation between anthropometric data and hand measurements (hand length, width, circumference, and forearm circumference) with maximum grip strength. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five young adults (both male and female) of age group 18–22 from rural areas of different parts of West Bengal were included by proper history and according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The parameters studied were height (using a stadiometer), BMI, waist–hip ratio, hand length and width, hand circumference, forearm circumference, hand grip strength by Jamar Analog Hand Dynamometer (0–100 kg, Inco, Ambala), and also the maximum grip strength (MGS). Statistical analysis was done by SPSS (version 21) and the significance of the difference between the groups was determined by the independent Students’ “t” test. The correlations among the variables were determined by Pearson’s correlation test. Results: There were significant (P = 0.0001) differences in mean MGS in dominant to non-dominant hands in females than males. Height had a significant (P = 0.0001) strong positive correlation (r = 0.738, r = 0.715), weight had a significant (P = 0.015) and moderate positive correlation (r = 0.325, r = 0.326), but BMI had a significant but mild negative correlation (r = −0.249) with MGS. In hand measurements, only hand circumference had a significant and strong positive correlation (r = 0.540, r = 0.551) with MGS both on the dominant and non-dominant hand. Conclusion: Grip strength on the dominant hand was significantly higher in rural population including males and females. Height, weight, waist/hip ratio, and not the BMI might be the better indicator of grip strength.