Correlation of Body Mass Index and Work Profile on Hand Grip Strength and Endurance in Healthy Adults

Background and need of research: Hand Grip Strength (HGS) is an integral part of performing precise and refined fine motor activities. Many professions necessitate lifting and holding heavy loads with a proportionately static grip or repetitive or forceful gripping movements. Hence it is important to consider measurement of handgrip endurance (HGE) as an important component of assessment of physical performance. Most of studies have shown that HGS and BMI is associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease. So, need of this study is to fulfill the lacunae of literature. Method: A cross-sectional study-conducted on 80 healthy adults(age:18-40) after obtaining Institutional Ethical Committee clearance. Participants who met with the inclusion criteria were invited for study. BMI was calculated using the formula weight(kg)/height(m)2.HGS and HGE were measured in office worker and labourer using hand grip dynamometer. Results: Mean age, BMI, strength and endurance of office worker is (32.78+5.96), (26.15+5.36), (29.04+9.34), (44.63+28.53) and labourer is (32.47+4.46), (25.35+3.33), (37.26+8.57), (32.82+29.44) respectively. Spearman correlation test was used for analysis. Significant negative correlation (r=-0.507, p<0.05) is found between labourer BMI and HSG and very weak correlation found between BMI and HGE (r=-0.010, p>0.05). Weak and very weak correlation found between office worker’s BMI, HGS and HGE (r=-0.274, p>0.05 and r=0.110, p>0.05) respectively. Conclusion and clinical implication: There is significant negative correlation found between BMI and grip strength in labour group. This result supports that HGS can be effective tool for predicting physical fitness. Moreover, through normative value of HGS, clinician can detect low level of physical fitness at early stage in order to prevent future health problems. Keywords: BMI, hand grip strength, hand grip endurance, work profile