scholarly journals Hand Grip Strength and Self-Perceptions of Physical Attractiveness and Psychological Well-Being

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Sneade ◽  
Adrian Furnham
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado ◽  
Rubens Vinícius Letieri ◽  
Adriana Silva-Caldo ◽  
Joice C. S. Trombeta ◽  
Clara Monteiro ◽  
...  

IntroductionRegular exercise has long been shown to positively impact the immune system responsiveness and improve mental well-being (MWB). However, the putative links between biomarkers of mental health and immune efficiency in exercising subjects have been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of a 14-week combined chair-based exercise program (CEP) on salivary steroid hormones and anti-microbial proteins, functional fitness, and MWB indexes in pre-frail older women.MethodsThe participant women (82.8 4.6 years old; n = 32) were randomly divided into the exercising group (CEP, n = 17) and the non-exercising control group (CG, n = 15). The pre/post assessment included: (1) salivary anti-microbial proteins lysozyme; (Lys) and immunoglobulin-A (IgA); (2) salivary steroid hormones of testosterone (TT) and cortisol (COR); (3) functional fitness (gait speed, hand grip strength, and static balance); (4) MWB questionnaires (happiness, depression state, satisfaction with life, and stress).ResultsSignificant differences with large Cohen’s (d) effect sizes were found on increased salivary TT (p < 0.05; d = 0.60) after exercise intervention. The results revealed a decrease in IgA levels after CEP (p < 0.01, d = 0.30). The increase in subjective happiness levels (p < 0.05, d = 0.30) and decrease of stress perception (p < 0.01, d = 2.60) and depressive state (p < 0.05, d = 0.30) were found after intervention in the CEP group. Robust statistical differences in gait speed (p < 0.05; d = 0.60) and balance tests (p < 0.05; d = 0.80) were also found in the CEP group. In control, COR increased moderately (p < 0.05; d = 0.65) while no changes were found for the other indicators. Correlation analyses showed inter-dependence between pre–post variations of MWB, biochemical indexes, and fitness function (e.g., COR inverse correlation with hand grip strength and balance tests).ConclusionThe CEP program was able to improve functional-fitness performance, decrease feelings of stress, and increase happiness. The CEP also induced clinically relevant hormonal and immune responses, which suggests that chair exercises that combine muscular strength, balance, and gait speed training are promising interventions to improve physical and mental health of older pre-frail adults.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-446
Author(s):  
Soubhagyalaxmi Mohanty ◽  
Balaram Pradhan ◽  
Alex Hankey

Physical activities provide fundamental benefits to children’s health and well-being. They are vital for development and healthy life, but participation of children with visual impairment is limited. Herein, the authors report results of a 16-wk yoga program, evaluating its effects on physical fitness in children with visual impairment. Eighty-three children age 9–16 years (12.37 ± 2.19) participated in a 2-arm, single-blind wait-list-controlled study at a residential school in south India. Participants (yoga group 41, controls 42) were assessed on muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination, and respiratory health. Significant improvements in physical fitness were observed after the yoga intervention (Group × Time interactions for right-hand grip strength, p  < .001; sit-up, p  < .001; sit and reach, p  < .001; bilateral plate tapping, p  < .001; and peak expiratory flow rate, p  < .001). Left-hand grip strength showed main effects of time, although there were no Group × Time interactions. Results demonstrate yoga’s ability to improve a wide range of physical variables in children with visual impairment.


Author(s):  
Bradley J. Myers ◽  
John P. Manor ◽  
James M. Wilson ◽  
Victoria A. Yoder ◽  
Stuart T. Holden ◽  
...  

Background: Despite the known benefits of physical activity (PA), most of the population in the United States fails to meet minimum recommended levels, and this lack of activity is believed to affect their health and well-being. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare lifestyle behaviors of exercise and sleep in low, moderate, and high performers for maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and hand-grip strength (GS). Methods: Participants (n = 107, 19-62 years old) performed physical fitness assessments: estimated VO2max through submaximal cycle ergometry, and GS. Physical activity (PA) and sleep were assessed via self-reported questionnaires: physical activity as a vital sign (PAVS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Participants were categorized according to age and gender-specific normative values as low, medium, and high performer (LP, MP, and HP). Group characteristics were compared for each ranked variable using Kruskall-Wallis tests. Results: PAVS scores revealed 66.3% (n=68) of participants met minimum PA of 150 min/week (221.6 ± 177.8). According to VO2max performance groups, the LP group was taller, heavier, had higher diastolic blood pressure, and had a larger waist circumference than MP or HP (p =.000-.029), with moderate and high effect sizes. When categorized by relative GS, the LP group was heavier and had larger waist and hip circumferences than the HP group (p =.003-.011), all with high effect sizes. Conclusion: Despite high levels of self-report PA in this cohort, this did not translate to better cardiorespiratory fitness or muscular strength. Participants met PA guidelines but achieved suboptimal scores for VO2max and GS signifying elevated risk of mortality. The incongruity between PA levels and fitness classification suggest that lifestyle habits may not be a suitable surrogate for objective measurement of fitness.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3363
Author(s):  
Kristian Kirkelund Bentsen ◽  
Olfred Hansen ◽  
Jesper Ryg ◽  
Ann-Kristine Weber Giger ◽  
Stefan Starup Jeppesen

The Geriatric 8 (G-8) is a known predictor of overall survival (OS) in older cancer patients, but is mainly based on nutritional aspects. This study aimed to assess if the G-8 combined with a hand-grip strength test (HGST) in patients with NSCLC treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy can predict long-term OS better than the G-8 alone. A total of 46 SBRT-treated patients with NSCLC of stage T1-T2N0M0 were included. Patients were divided into three groups: fit (normal G-8 and HGST), vulnerable (abnormal G-8 or HGST), or frail (abnormal G-8 and HGST). Statistically significant differences were found in 4-year OS between the fit, vulnerable, and frail groups (70% vs. 46% vs. 25%, p = 0.04), as well as between the normal and abnormal G-8 groups (69% vs. 39%, p = 0.02). In a multivariable analysis of OS, being vulnerable with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.03 or frail with an HR of 3.80 indicated poorer OS, but this did not reach statistical significance. This study suggests that there might be a benefit of adding a physical test to the G-8 for more precisely predicting overall survival in SBRT-treated patients with localized NSCLC. However, this should be confirmed in a larger study population.


Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472110172
Author(s):  
Kaisa Jokinen ◽  
Arja Häkkinen ◽  
Toni Luokkala ◽  
Teemu Karjalainen

Background Modern multistrand repairs can withstand forces present in active flexion exercises, and this may improve the outcomes of flexor tendon repairs. We developed a simple home-based exercise regimen with free wrist and intrinsic minus splint aimed at facilitating the gliding of the flexor tendons and compared the outcomes with the modified Kleinert regimen used previously in the same institution. Methods We searched the hospital database to identify flexor tendon repair performed before and after the new regimen was implemented and invited all patients to participate. The primary outcome was total active range of motion, and secondary outcomes were Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; grip strength; globally perceived function; and the quality of life. Results The active range of motion was comparable between the groups (mean difference = 14; 95% confidence interval [CI], −8 to 36; P = .22). Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; grip strength; global perceived function; and health-related quality of life were also comparable between the groups. There was 1 (5.3%) rupture in the modified Kleinert group and 4 (15.4%) in the early active motion group (relative risk = 0.3; 95% CI, 0.04-2.5; P = .3). Conclusions Increasing active gliding with a free wrist and intrinsic minus splint did not improve the clinical outcomes after flexor tendon injury at a mean of 38-month follow-up.


Author(s):  
Francisco Pradas ◽  
Alejandro García-Giménez ◽  
Víctor Toro-Román ◽  
Nicolae Ochiana ◽  
Carlos Castellar

Research on the acute physiological response to a padel match is limited. The present study aimed to: (a) evaluate neuromuscular, urinary, and hematological responses after simulated padel competition (SC) and (b) analyze possible gender differences. In this study, 28 high-level padel players participated (men = 13, age = 26.83 ± 6.57 years; women = 15, age = 30.07 ± 4.36 years). The following parameters were analyzed before and after SC: neuromuscular (hand grip strength, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and Abalakov jump (ABK)), hematological (red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit), and urinary (pH, specific gravity, microalbuminuria, and red blood cells). Significant gender differences were found in neuromuscular and hematological responses, with men obtaining higher values (p < 0.05). For the SC influence, changes were noted in ABK and microalbuminuria (p < 0.05). The percentages of change in hand grip strength, SJ (height and watts), CMJ (height), and ABK (height) were higher for men than women (p < 0.05). SC negatively influenced the neuromuscular parameters to a greater extent in women. Our results could be related to gender differences in game actions, the temporal structure, and anthropometric and physiological characteristics. Game dynamics and a different organic response between male and female padel playing were confirmed.


Author(s):  
Nesrin Raible-Destan ◽  
Niklaus Stulz ◽  
Urs Hepp ◽  
Denis Ribeaud ◽  
Manuel Eisner ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110286
Author(s):  
Cui Wang ◽  
Mengqi Wang ◽  
Jieru Chen ◽  
Limin Wang ◽  
Shaomei Shang

This study aimed to evaluate the association between night-time sleep duration and hand grip strength (HGS) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Participants aged ≥45 years were included in a nationally representative investigation clinical study in 2015. HGS was measured using dynamometers. The data on night-time sleep duration, sociodemographic information, and health-related variables were systematically collected. For analysis, sleep duration was categorized as <5 h, 5–7 h, 7 h, 7–9 h, and >9 h. Multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the possible association between the night-time sleep duration and HGS. Our results indicated that the shortest (<5 h) or the longest sleep duration (>9 h) was relevant to high risk of weaker HGS in females. In males, the shortest (<5 h) sleep duration was correlated to lower HGS. Thus, our findings clearly suggest that health care providers should focus on the potential influence of sleep duration on HGS among COPD patients.


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