Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: August | Volume: 8 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 159-166
Effect of Varying Carrying Angle on Grip Strength in Normal Young Individuals
Manisha R Patel1, Shaswat Verma2
1Lecturer, Dept of Physiotherapy, DR, B R Ambedkar Medical College, Bangalore.
2Assistant professor, Dept of Physiotherapy, Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore.
Corresponding Author: Manisha R Patel
ABSTRACT
Background: The elbow joint is a loose hinge joint. Carrying angle of the elbow is a clinical measure of varus-valgus angulation of the arm with the elbow fully extended and forearm fully supinated. Generally, carrying angle is more in women than in men secondary to sex characteristics. Increase or decrease in the carrying angle can have the stretching effect on the muscular origin at the elbow i.e. common flexor and extensor origin. This may have an effect on grip strength. Grip strength is an integrated performance of muscles that can be produced in one muscular contraction. Grip strength provides an objective index of the functional integrity of upper extremity.
Objectives:
- To measure carrying angle in normal individuals.
- To check the grip strength in normal individuals.
- To find the correlation between carrying angle and grip strength.
Methods: 200 subjects of the age 18-30 years were included in the study that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Carrying angle was measured by digital goniometer in standing (anatomical) position. Grip strength was measured by hand held dynamometer with the patient sitting on a chair, shoulder in a neutral position, elbow in 90 degree flexion and forearm in mid prone position. Other parameters such as forearm length, height and hand span were also measured. Forearm length was measured by measuring tape in centimeter. Height was measured by stature meter in centimeter. Hand span was measured by the scale in centimeter.
Data Analysis: Correlation between right and left side carrying angle and grip strength was done by using Spearman’s correlation test.
Result: There was a negative correlation between carrying angle and grip strength of both right and left side with the r value of -0.494 and -0.551 respectively and 0.01 was the p-value.
Conclusion: This study concluded that as carrying angle increases, the grip strength decreases and vice versa.
Key words: Carrying angle, Grip strength, Hand-held dynamometer, Digital goniometer, Elbow joint.