Predictors Of Grip Strength Research Articles

123 ACUTE-PHASE BED-REST DURATION WAS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER GRIP STRENGTH IN A POST-COVID-19 COHORT

Abstract Background Though age-related muscle loss is traditionally associated with older cohorts, strong evidence suggests a life-spanning precipitation of decreasing muscle mass and strength beginning as early as the fourth decade of life, with established deleterious consequences for later-life morbidity and mortality. Periods of low activity and bed rest (LA/BR) can further compound this depletion of muscle strength. Our aim was to examine such associations in a post-COVID-19 cohort. Methods Participants reporting ongoing symptomatology and fatigue post COVID-19 underwent assessments of grip strength via hand-held dynamometry (2 measures on each hand). Demographics of COVID-19 illness, including time since diagnosis, duration of LA/BR during acute illness, and levels of fatigue were captured via self-reported questionnaires. Independent predictors of mean grip strength were investigated using a linear regression model. Results Forty-nine participants underwent assessments (69% female, mean age 44(12) years). At the time of assessment, days post COVID-19 diagnosis ranged from 39–522 (mean 262(140)). The mean self-reported period of LA/BR during the acute illness was 15(18) days. In general, participants reported significant levels of fatigue (median Chalder Fatigue Scale score 22(8)). Mean grip strength was 41.3(6.3) Kg for men and 22.8(6.7) Kg for women. When predictors of grip strength were investigated, an increased duration of LA/BR was found to be associated with lower grip strength, independently of age, gender, time since COVID-19 diagnosis, and self-reported fatigue (Beta = −0.158, 95% Confidence Interval − 0.242 to −0.074, p = 0.001). Conclusion In this cohort, every day of LA/BR during acute COVID-19 illness was independently associated with subsequent lower grip strength of approximately 150 g. These results underscore the importance of early mobilization and discouraging bed rest in the acute phase of COVID-19. Patients who are isolating should be encouraged to maintain physical activity and muscle strength as part of a modified isolation-friendly rehabilitation programme.

White matter microstructure relates to motor outcomes in myotonic dystrophy type 1 independently of disease duration and genetic burden

Deficits in white matter (WM) integrity and motor symptoms are among the most robust and reproducible features of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). In the present study, we investigate whether WM integrity, obtained from diffusion-weighted MRI, corresponds to quantifiable motor outcomes (e.g., fine motor skills and grip strength) and patient-reported, subjective motor deficits. Critically, we explore these relationships in the context of other potentially causative variables, including: disease duration, elapsed time since motor symptom onset; and genetic burden, the number of excessive CTG repeats causing DM1. We found that fractional anisotropy (a measure of WM integrity) throughout the cerebrum was the strongest predictor of grip strength independently of disease duration and genetic burden, while radial diffusivity predicted fine motor skill (peg board performance). Axial diffusivity did not predict motor outcomes. Our results are consistent with the notion that systemic degradation of WM in DM1 mediates the relationship between DM1 progression and genetic burden with motor outcomes of the disease. Our results suggest that tracking changes in WM integrity over time may be a valuable biomarker for tracking therapeutic interventions, such as future gene therapies, for DM1.

Associations between hand function and electrophysiological measurements in hand osteoarthritis patients of different ages with or without carpal tunnel syndrome

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease that most frequently involves the hand. The objective was to compare clinical functional outcome measures including hand grip, pinch strength, and dexterity with various electrophysiological measures in patients of different ages with hand osteoarthritis with or without the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Patients with hand osteoarthritis (208 patients, 404 hands) who underwent hand-function tests and motor and sensory nerve conduction studies (NCS) between June 2015 and June 2016 were enrolled. The patients’ hands were assigned to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (206 hands; mean age, 56.37 ± 10.52; male:female, 46:160) or control groups (198 hands; mean age, 57.88 ± 9.68; male:female, 55:143). The strength of hand grip and lateral pinch, the time required to complete the nine-hole pegboard test (9HPT), and motor and sensory nerve conduction parameters were measured and compared across age groups and between hands with or without CTS. The CTS group showed significantly lower hand grip and lateral pinch strength, and a longer time to complete the 9HPT in comparison with the control group. Female patients showed significantly lower hand grip and lateral pinch strength than male patients. However, there was no difference in the 9HPT completion time between genders. Multivariate regression analysis identified the amplitude of the median compound muscle action potential (CMAP), age, and male gender as independent predictors of grip strength (adjusted R2 = 0.679), and amplitude of median CMAP and male gender as independent predictors of KP strength (adjusted R2 = 0.603). Velocity of median CMAP, amplitude of median sensory nerve action potential, and age were identified as independent predictors of 9HPT time (adjusted R2 = 0.329). Nerve conduction measurements were significantly related to hand-function test results, and CTS induced significant deficits in strength and performance of the affected hand.

Validity of Commercial Electrical Impedance Myography as a Predictor of Grip Strength

Validity of Commercial Electrical Impedance Myography as a Predictor of Grip Strength

Relationship between grip, pinch strengths and anthropometric variables, types of pitch throwing among Japanese high school baseball pitchers.

Background:Grip and pinch strength are crucially important attributes and standard parameters related to the functional integrity of the hand. It seems significant to investigate normative data for grip and pinch strength of baseball players to evaluate their performance and condition. Nevertheless, few reports have explained the association between grip and pinch strength and anthropometric variables and types of pitch throwing for baseball pitchers.Objectives:The aim of this study was to measure and evaluate clinical normative data for grip and tip, key, palmar pinch strength and to assess the relationship between these data and anthropometric variables and types of pitch throwing among Japanese high-school baseball pitchers.Materials and Methods:One hundred-thirty three healthy high school baseball pitchers were examined and had completed a self-administered questionnaire including items related to age, hand dominance, throwing ratio of type of pitch. A digital dynamometer was used to measure grip strength and a pinch gauge to measure tip, key and palmer pinch in both dominant and nondominant side. Body composition was measured by the multi frequency segmental body composition analyzer.Results:Grip strength and tip and palmer pinch strength in dominant side were statistically greater than them in nondominant side (P < 0.05). There were significant associations between grip strength and height (r = 0.33, P < 0.001), body mass (r = 0.50, P < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.37, P < 0.001), muscle mass of upper extremity (r = 0.56, P < 0.001), fat free mass (r = 0.57, P < 0.001), fat mass (r = 0.22, P < 0.05) in dominant side. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that fat free mass and tip, palmer, key pinch strength were predictors of grip strength in dominant side. No statistical significant correlations were found between the throwing ratio of types of pitches thrown and grip strength and tip, key, palmar pinch strength.Conclusions:Our result provides normative values and evidences for grip and pinch strengths in high school baseball pitchers.

Grip strength and endurance: Influences of anthropometric variation, hand dominance, and gender

Studies of grip strength typically examine maximum force during a single repetition, but this type of exertion is relatively rare in the workplace, where tasks frequently involve repeated forceful dynamic grasping or prolonged static holding. This study examined grip strength and endurance in three experiments: single-repetition, 10-repetition, and 30-second static hold. The relationships between anthropometric variation and grip performance were assessed for 51 individuals, aged 18–33. Measurements of the forearm and hand were found to be better predictors of grip strength than were height and weight. The ability to predict strength was most accurate for the single-repetition, and then declined with increasing duration of the experiment. Compared to univariate measurements, multivariate analysis (principal components) slightly improved the ability to predict absolute grip force. In contrast to strength, anthropometric variation was completely unassociated with relative grip endurance (percent change in force production). While larger males produced greater average grip force than did females, no significant differences existed between the genders in measures of relative endurance. The dominant hand was significantly stronger than the opposite hand, but also fatigued more rapidly. This trend was more pronounced in females than in males. Relevance to industry Grip strength and relative endurance may both contribute to the risk of work-related accidents and cumulative musculoskeletal injury. Because grip force and endurance are unrelated, ergonomists should consider which factor is most important and appropriate for their design and research goals.

Gender, Grip Span, Anthropometric Dimensions, and Time Effects on Grip Strength and Discomfort

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship among anthropometric dimensions, grip span, discomfort, gender, and grip strength. The 24 volunteer subjects (12 males, 12 females) performed five grips squeezing their hardest for 2 minutes at each of the five grip spans on the Jamar grip dynamometer. The grip strength was recorded using the UPC software and then averaged for each of the 30 second intervals. The data was analyzed using ANOVA, post-hoc (Tukey) hypothesis tests, and regression. In the ANOVA analysis gender, grip span, time, and the interactions of gender-grip span, grip span-time, and time-gender were determined to be the significant effects. In all four of the 30 second intervals, average grip strength was significantly higher for males than females. Female average grip strength was found to be 70% of male average grip strength. The post-hoc (Tukey) tests showed that grip spans 3, 4, and 2 were significantly higher than grip spans 5 and 1. The anthropometry of several segments of the hand were found to be important predictors of grip strength and discomfort in the stepwise regressions. Grip span 4 had the highest average severity of discomfort, while grip span 1 had the most areas of the hand experiencing discomfort.