Association Between Handgrip Strength, Skinfold Thickness and Trunk Strength

Completed

Brief Summary: The main objective was to explore relationship between skinfold measurement at multiple sites, hand grip strength, and trunk muscle strength (flexors and extensors) in healthy participants. Conclusion: There is a moderate association between hand grip strength, T score and trunk muscle strength, evident from the present research. Though no such association was seen for skinfold measurement.

Detailed Description: Objectives: The main objective was to explore relationship between skinfold measurement at multiple sites, hand grip strength, and trunk muscle strength (flexors and extensors) in healthy participants. Methods: Cross-sectional design, randomly recruited 40 participants. Finally only 39 participants were included. Measurements for demographic variable and anthropometric variables were done. Then the evaluation for hand grip strength and skin fold was done. Data Analysis: Quantitative variables were designated using means and standard deviations, and qualitative variables described by frequencies. The Repeated measure for Analysis of Variance (RANOVA) was used to analyse whether there was statistically significant interaction between the two groups (smoking vs non-smokers). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure associations of anthropometric traits with grip strength. Multiple linear regression model was also carried to explore the linear relationship between dependent and independent variables.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

This cross-sectional study Only healthy participants with no known history of previous diseases were included (n=39).

Exclusion Criteria

Students who found it difficult to follow the instructions for the tests after one familiarity sessions were excluded (n=0). Students reporting any kind of acute infections, previous history of chronic respiratory diseases were also excluded (n=1).

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Young Adults	hand grip strength	Skinfold thickness (SFT) at multiple marked sites on biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac areas using a Harpenden Caliper (Baty, UK) for the non-dominant side. Hand grip strength measurement Jamar Hydraulic Dynamometers (Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer Fabrication Enterprises Inc, NY) was used as the evaluation tool for measuring grip. The handgrip measurement was carried out as per the recommendations laid by The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). The T score for hand grip strength was also calculated. Also the mean predicted handgrip strength for given height was calculated foe the given height Trunk muscle strength testing was done. An analogue hydraulic push-pull dynamometer (Model: FEI-12-0394) was used to evaluate. The trunk extensor and flexor muscle strength was evaluated using and was recorded in pounds (lbs.).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Trunk strength	1 month	Hydraulic Dynamometers (Hydraulic Dynamometer)
Handgrip strength	1 month	Jamar Hydraulic Dynamometers (Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer Fabrication Enterprises Inc, NY) was used as the evaluation tool for measuring grip. The handgrip measurement was carried out as per the recommendations laid by The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)
Skinfold thickness	1 month	Harpenden Caliper , Skinfold thickness (SFT) at multiple marked sites on biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac areas using a Harpenden Caliper (Baty, UK) for the non-dominant side. The instruments were well calibrated before testing. The measurement sites were marked, and then a minimum of two readings were taken. In case the two measurements at a particular site differed by more than 3 mm, a third measurement was taken. The mean of the two closest measurement was documented and the percentage of body fat was then calculated using the formula and table published by Durnin and Womersley

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Smoking Habits	1 month	Yes and No type questions , have been chronic smokers of more than 1 year or 6 months
Waist Circumference	1 month	Waist circumference was measured using inch tape as per the guidelines laid by the world health organization (WHO) . Elements of the protocol discussed below include: * the anatomical placement of the measuring tape, its tightness and the type of tape used; * the subject's posture, phase of respiration, abdominal tension, stomach contents and clothing.