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International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education 2017; 2(1): 204-208
ISSN: 2456-0057
IJPNPE 2017; 2(1): 204-208
© 2017 IJPESH
www.journalofsports.com
Received: 04-11-2016
Accepted: 05-12-2016
Balaji PA
Associate Professor, Department
of Physiology, Dr B R Ambedkar
Medical College, Bengaluru,
India. Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi
University of Health Sciences,
Karnataka, India
Poornima S
Associate Professor, Department
of Physiology, Dr B R Ambedkar
Medical College, Bengaluru,
India. Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi
University of Health Sciences,
Karnataka, India
Correspondence
Balaji PA
Associate Professor, Department
of Physiology, Dr B R Ambedkar
Medical College, Bengaluru,
India. Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi
University of Health Sciences,
Karnataka, India
Correlation of BMI and hand anthropometry with
hand grip plus endurance for 1/3
rd
of Tmax among staff
of teaching institute at Bengaluru, India
Balaji PA and Poornima S
Abstract
Background: The dimensional & anatomical features of the human hand & the factors such as the size,
shape, texture of objects being held etc., influence the functional aspects of hand. Hand grip strength can
be quantified while performing isometric exercises on hand grip dynamometer. Many studies have been
conducted among athletes, players involved in grip sports and subjects working or employed in different
types of industries like garments, beedi, agarbatti, vehicle parts assembly industries and have found
significant correlation between hand anthropometry & hand grip plus endurance. But data are very scant
among staff working in teaching institute.
Objective: To assess the correlation of BMI and hand anthropometry with hand grip plus endurance
among staff of teaching institute.
Material and Methods: 61 female subjects were selected for the study based on inclusion & exclusion
criteria. Among them 35 were working as typist cum clerk and 36 were working as teaching staff. The
shape of the dominant hand was drawn on a piece of paper with a thin marker so that finger spans, finger
lengths, and perimeters of the hand could be measured. Handgrip strength was measured in the dominant
hand using hand grip dynamometer. Descriptive statistics were used for each variable and independent t
test was used to analyze the differences between the two groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient test
was used to evaluate the correlation between studied variables.
Result: Many hand anthropometric parameters and BMI of both teaching and clerk/typist groups
significantly correlated (p<0.05 for both), with handgrip strength and endurance but handgrip strength
and endurance of teaching staff and clerk/typist were similar.
Conclusion: Further researches related to the present topic are recommended as these can be used in
talent identification in handgrip-related sports, design hand controlled products like remote control,
mouse, key board and may be useful for ergo-design applications and in clinical settings as well.
Keywords: Hand anthropometry, handgrip, endurance.
Introduction
The human hand is a complex structure that performs various functions for activities of daily
living and occupation
[1]
. The dimensional & anatomical features of the human hand & the
factors such as the size, shape, texture of objects being held etc., influence the functional
aspects of hand uses
[2, 3]
. Hand grip strength can be quantified by measuring the amount of
static force that the hand can squeeze around a dynamometer and can be measured by
subjecting patient to perform isometric exercise and endurance time can be measured by
recording the time of onset of fatigue while performing isometric exercises on hand grip
dynamometer. Measurements of forearm & hand dimensions are better predictor of grip
strength than height & weight
[4-6]
. Further studies have shown that hand grip strength
significantly correlated with hand dimensions like height: perpendicular to wrist crease, hand
breadth & hand spread across edge
[7]
.
Many studies have been conducted among athletes, players involved in grip sports and
subjects working or employed in different types of industries like garments, beedi, agarbatti,
vehicle parts assembly industries and have found significance of correlation between hand
anthropometry & hand grip plus endurance. But data are very scant among staff working in
teaching institutes. People involved in continuous writing / typing – computers are found to be
working as clerk / typist or teaching staff in teaching institutes.