Hand Grip Strength an important determinant in ergonomics: An anthropometric study in the rural Tertiary Medical College of Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India

Dr. Debjani Laha; Dr. Pratibha Rao Lahiri; Dr.Ranjan Pal

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2018

Hand Grip Strength an important determinant in ergonomics: An anthropometric study in the rural Tertiary Medical College of Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India

Dr. Debjani Laha, Dr. Pratibha Rao Lahiri, Dr. Ranjan Pal

Abstract :

Hand grip strength measurement by hand dynamometer is a very effective yet very easy tool for the assessment of many health related issues. In case of rehabilitation after hand surgery or hand injury, choice of sports category, job placement etc. Even the morbidity status can be assessed with this simple instrument. In our study we included this instrument to assess the relationship of hand grip strength and different hand dimensions and body mass index. An institute based cross sectional study was designed with all the 47 first year nursing students. Their anthropometric measurements like, height, weight, body mass index , hand dimensions of both upper extremities were done. Statistical calculation was done using SPSS version 20.Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for 2–tailed test. Some of the parameters were correlated significantly at the 0.01 level; some were at the 0.05 level. Like, Hand Grip Strength (HGS) of dominant hand with age (p=0.009), height and weight with hand grip strength (p=0.009 and 0.003 respectively), forearm length of dominant and non–dominant hands are significantly related HGS (p=0.011 and 0.022 respectively). BMI is significantly related to dominant hand grip strength (p=0.46). Total hand lengths are also significantly related with HGS (0.014, 0.031 respectively). Several studies on hand grip strength correlate higher hand grip strength with higher sports and job performances. So achieving the goal of ergonomics the proper placement of people to Increase efficiency in their workplaces, this study seems to be the first step.