Handgrip strength and endurance in female healthcare professional workers.

Abstract

Objectives. The first aim of this study was to examine the differences between dominant and non-dominant hand and finger muscle contractile abilities. The secondary aim was to assess the relationship between variables used in assessing healthcare workers' hand and finger muscle contractile abilities. Methods. The study included 129 healthcare women who performed handgrip strength and endurance tests. Quantitative data on the maximum force, time to maximum force, time to maximum rate of force development, the rate of force development and the time of endurance in force, expressed as the force impulse, were measured. Results. The t test for paired samples showed significant differences between dominant and non-dominant hands in maximum force and rate of force development. The factorial analysis revealed three main components. Contractile force included maximum force and rate of force development, neural speed included time to maximum force and time to rate of force development, while neuro-muscular endurance included endurance of the non-dominant and dominant hands. Conclusion. The results of this research show that it is essential to continue to assess variables from all three components of the resulting model in future research and clinical practice, regardless of the hand tested.