The Effect of a Combined Elbow & Forearm Position on Grip Strength in Atheletes

INTRODUCTION : Hand is much more than a machine in the factory of human body. The hand is irreplaceable when it comes to performing any kind of movement be it gross or skilled. The prime function of hand is grip. Hand accounts for around 40% utility in the vocational rehabilitation. The importance of a normally functioning hand needs no emphasis in performing activities of daily living, whether in earning in living, practicing a hobby or allowing independence in daily activities. Hand and wrist are the most active and intricate parts of the upper extremity. Their mobility is enhanced by a wide range of movements at the shoulder and complementary movements at the elbow and forearm. The 28 bones, numerous articulation and 19 intrinsic and 20 extrinsic muscles of the wrist and hand provide tremendous variability of the movement. In addition to being an expressive organ of communication, the hand has a protective role and acts as both a motor and sensory organ, providing information such as temperature thickness texture, depth and shape as well as the motion of the object. Grip is an action or activity of the hand in moving, grasping or taking hold of an object between any two surfaces of the hand, the thumb may or may not be involved. Grip can be categorized as either power grip or precision handling. Each of these two categories has subgroups that further define the grip. Power grip is a forceful act resulting in flexion of all finger joints. When thumb is used, it acts as a stabilizer to the object held between the fingers and the palm. Precision handling in contrast is the skillful placement of an object between fingers or fingers and thumb. Grip can be differentiated on the basis of the dynamic and static phases involved. OBJECTIVES : 1. To determine the grip strength in the different combinations of elbow joint and forearm positions. 2. To compare the grip strength in the different combinations of elbow joint and forearm positions. METHODOLOGY : Study Design : The study design used for this research was randomized observational study. Sample Size : The study a sample consists of 100 healthy trained subjects of both the sexes in age group of 18 to 25 years selected randomly. Source of Data : All subjects were students in age group of 18 to 25 years selected from Nandha educational institute. Ethical consent was taken from the institute and volunteers. Inclusion Criteria : 1. Trainedsubject. 2. Athletes. 3. Normal healthy subjects in age group 18-25 years. Exclusion Criteria : 1. Untrained subjects. 2. Non athletes. 3. History of fracture&dislocationof shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist & hand. 4. Restriction of movements of upper limb joints. 5. Any history of inflammatory joint disease, neurological disorder or injury to upper extremity. 6. Tightness, deformity and contractures in upper extremity. CONCLUSION : Combination position showed different grip strength. The position with the highest mean grip strength was elbow 0° and forearm inmidprone. Followed by elbow 90° and forearm in midprone. Followed by elbow 0° and forearm in supination. Followed by elbow 90° and forearm in supination. Followed by elbow 0° and forearm in pronation. Followed by elbow 45° and forearm in midprone Followed by elbow 45° and forearm in supination. Followed by elbow 90° and forearm in pronation. Followed by elbow 45° and forearm in pronation. Elbow joint and forearm position should be considered during grip strength measurement. As per the patients needs position of elbow joint and forearm should be considered during the treatment techniques and functional activities.