The Effects of Co-ordinating Postures With Shoulder and Elbow Flexion Angles on Maximum Grip Strength and Upper-Limb Muscle Activity in Standing and Sitting Postures

Abstract

Eighteen co-ordination postures with shoulder flexion angles (0°, 45° and 90°) and elbow flexion angles (0°, 45° and 90°) in standing and sitting positions were evaluated to identify the effects of co-ordination postures on maximum grip strength and muscle activities of the upper limb in this study. Thirty-nine subjects were recruited and their maximum grip strengths were measured. According to the analysis of grip strength, grip strength was shown to be stronger in a standing posture (297.4 N) than in a sitting posture (274.6 N). In addition, grip strength (293.8 N) at 90° shoulder flexion angle was significantly higher than that at 0° and 45° shoulder angles. There was no statistically significant difference in grip strength from the effects of elbow angles in this study. The results of muscle activities for all muscle groups showed a similar trend with the results of grip strength associated with shoulder angles.