Relationship of carrying angle with grip strength and anthropometric measurements in young adults

Abstract

Background and purposeIncrease or decrease in the carrying angle may affect the functional activity and lead to elbow instability and pain during exercise or activity of daily living. Grip strength is commonly evaluated as a component of hand function in clinical settings as an indicator of disease and functional activity. The objective of this study was to find out correlation of carrying angle with grip strength and anthropometric measurements in healthy young adults.MethodologyTwo hundred three participants (female 121 and male 82) with mean age 22.95 ± 2.11 years were included as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Carrying angle was measured by goniometer, and grip strength was measured by handheld dynamometer. Anthropometric data like forearm length and hand span was measured by the measuring tape and ruler scale respectively.ResultsSpearman’s correlation test showed that carrying angle is negatively correlated with grip strength (r = − 0.18; p < 0.05) and forearm length (r = − 0.14; p < 0.05) on the left side but no significant correlation on the right side. Body height and carrying angle have negative correlation on the right (r = − 0.20, p < 0.05) and left sides (r = − 0.23, p < 0.05).ConclusionAs the carrying angle increases, grip strength decreases. The height and length of the forearm are inversely related to the carrying angle. Grip strength is directly proportional with forearm length and hand span. Early identification of increased carrying angle will help in the prevention of various complications and identification of biomechanical alteration in sports activities.