Relationship between hand grip strength and postural static balance among undergraduates of a Nigerian university

Abstract

Hand grip strength (HGS) is a useful functional measure of the integrity of upper extremity. The study is designed to evaluate the relationship between HGS and static balance among undergraduates of a Nigerian university.
Material and Method. Four hundred undergraduates (229 males and 171 females) selected consecutively of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, participated in the study. The hand grip dynamometer was used to measure the grip strength while the participants were on standing and the static balance performance was measured using one-leg stance and stop clock. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical. Alpha level was set at 0.05.
Result. The result showed that there was a significant correlation (r=0.136; p<0.05) between balance performance and wrist circumference, there was significant relationship (r = 0.280; p < 0.001) between left grip strength and balance performance. Also a significant relationship (r= 0.289; p<0.001) between right grip strength and balance performance was found. It was also shown that the there was a significant difference between handgrip strength of the right upper limb of males and females (t=15.894; p=0.000) and between static balance performance for males and females (t=5.364; p=0.000). Prediction equation for the right hand grip strength was 31.855 (Ht/m) + 0.284 (Wt/kg) + 1.918 (WrstC/cm) – 65.378, and that of the left hand grip strength was (28.622 (Ht/m) + 0.288 (Wt/kg) + 1.816 (WrstC/cm) –.61.193).
Conclusion. It can be concluded from the study that increase in hand grip strength can increase static balance performance of individual.

Key words:

hand grip strength, static balance, one legged stance test, dynamometer