A STUDY OF GRIP STRENGTH IN DIFFERENT ELBOW POSITIONS

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effects of different elbow positions on grip strength. A hand grip dynamometer is used in this study to measure the grip strength of 50 healthy adult male subjects, in three different elbow positions (1) Elbow at 0 degree flexion (2) Elbow at 90 degree flexion (3) Elbow at 135 degree flexion (International standard Goniometer was used in this study to ensure the correct degree of flexion) The study was conducted in the dominant hand as per the American  Society of Hand Therapist Standard protocol with the exception of elbow position (Shoulder in adduction and neutral rotation, sitting posture, fore arm in neutral, wrist in neutral position). The elbow in these three different positions are of primary  significance. The exclusion criteria for this study includes any previous history of upper extremity abnormalities, inflammatory joint diseases, neurological disorder, or injury to upper limb and other health conditions. A statistical analysis was done between these three different elbow positions to know which position had more grip strength and in which position had less.