Assessment of hand-grip and key-pinch strength at three arm positions among healthy college students: Dominant versus non-dominant hand.

OBJECTIVE: Grip strength is important for independent self-care and is a predictor of functional decline. This study aimed to determine if healthy individuals would demonstrate different hand-grip and key-pinch strengths at three different arm positions and in comparisons between dominant and non-dominant hands. METHODS: A total of 61 right-hand-dominant male college students aged 19-23 years were consecutively recruited from the College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences. Three researchers performed the measurements. All tests were performed with the JAMAR® hand-grip dynamometer handle set in its second position. Participants were instructed to squeeze the handle of the hand-grip dynamometer in the 90° elbow flexion, 90° shoulder flexion, and arm dangled positions. For assessment of key-pinch strength, every participant had to squeeze the thumb pad against the lateral aspect of the middle phalanx of the index finger. Key-pinch strength was measured in the same positions used for assessment of hand-grip strength. Participants were blinded for the outcome measurements. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The hand-grip and key-pinch strengths did not show significant effects. Comparison of right and left hand-grip strengths also showed insignificant differences. However, the key-pinch strength showed a significant increase in favour of the dominant hand. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians can choose any upper-extremity position to measure hand-grip and key-pinch strength. Furthermore, clinicians should aim to maintain and restore almost equal scores for hand-grip and pinch strength of the dominant and non-dominant hands to ensure better hand function.

Right versus left side bridge static endurance ability among healthy collegiate students at Taibah University.

BACKGROUND: Spinal muscles endurance is fundamental for providing adequate trunk stability. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the side bridge static endurance ability of the right versus left side. METHODS: Forty right hand dominant students, aged between 18 and 25 years, were recruited from Taibah University. Every participant had to lie down on his side and bear trunk weight on the arm with shoulder abducted to 90∘ and elbow flexed to 90∘. Every participant had to lift off his trunk of the supporting surface, keeping the trunk straight in neutral position, breathing normally and holding on that position as long as tolerated. RESULTS: A paired sample t test was calculated. The mean score, in seconds, for right side bridge was 41.6 (SD = 30.08), and for left side bridge was 38.00 (SD = 26.93). No significant difference was found between right and left side bridge endurance ability [t (39) = 1.67, p> 0.05]. Pearson correlation showed high positive correlation [r (38) = 0.89, p< 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Among healthy participants, clinicians should expect very close endurance profile for the musculature of the two sides of trunk. Clinicians should equally train both sides of trunk muscles stabilizers in order to enhance tolerance.

Effect of a 6-week rehabilitation program on gait parameters after total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate early changes in gait parameters following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Fifteen patients scheduled to undergo unilateral TKA at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between March 2009 and February 2010, were included in the study. This study was a prospective pretest-posttest experimental design; all patients underwent unilateral TKA, and were subjected to a 6-week standard postoperative rehabilitation program. Pain intensity and gait variables were evaluated before surgery and 6-weeks postoperatively using the Visual Analogue Scale and simple footprint method. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed improvement in pain intensity and reduction in gait velocity, cadence, and stride length following the 6-week postoperative exercise intervention compared with preoperatively. CONCLUSION: A 6-week postoperative exercise program is not a long enough time-period to restore walking abilities to their pre-surgery values in patients undergoing TKA. A longer period of rehabilitation is needed to improve the quality of the patient's gait.