INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND FOREARM POSTURES WITH GRIP STRENGTH IN YOUNG ADULTS

BACKGROUND: Grip strength is widely accepted as an indicator of maximum hand strength and contraction of active muscles of the hand and forearm. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of forearm posture (pronation, supination and neutral) and anthropometric variation on MVC grip strength and grip endurance time in young university adults. METHODS: Fifty healthy, right-handed men volunteered to participate in this study. The experiment was characterized by measuring MVC grip strength and endurance time of 50% MVC randomly in three different postures (supine, pronation and neutral). Performance was assessed in terms of dependent variables: MVC grip strength and grip endurance time. RESULTS: MANCOVA results showed no significant effect of posture on MVC grip strength ([Formula: see text]) and grip endurance time ([Formula: see text]). There was a significant effect of age ([Formula: see text]), height ([Formula: see text]) and forearm length ([Formula: see text]) on the grip endurance time in supine position. However, palm circumference had a significant effect on MVC grip strength ([Formula: see text]) in pronation posture only. The pronation forearm posture produces 7.4% more grip strength than a supine posture. In addition, the grip endurance time was improved in the supine position, compared to the neutral and pronation forearm posture. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the MVC grip strength is affected by the weight and palm circumference. In addition, palm circumference was the most influential factor affecting grip strength. Thus, anthropometric and posture-specific grip strength data are essential for clinical and industrial applications. The results can be used to prepare guidelines for rehabilitation, health care, sport and medicine.

Anastomosis Patterns between the Median and Ulnar Nerves in the Upper Limbs

There are four types of anastomoses between the median and ulnar nerves in the upper limbs. It consists of crossings of axons that produce changes in the innervation of the upper limbs, mainly in the intrinsic muscles of the hand. The forearm has two anatomical changes – Martin-Gruber: branch originating close to the median nerve joining distally to the ulnar nerve; and Marinacci: branch originating close to the ulnar nerve and distally joining the median nerve. The hand also has two types of anastomoses, which are more common, and sometimes considered a normal anatomical pattern – Berrettini: Connection between the common digital nerves of the ulnar and median nerves; and Riche-Cannieu: anastomosis between the recurrent branch of the median nerve and the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. Due to these connection patterns, musculoskeletal disorders and neuropathies can be misinterpreted, and nerve injuries during surgery may occur, without the knowledge of these anastomoses. Therefore, knowledge of them is essential for the clinical practice. The purpose of the present review is to provide important information about each type of anastomosis of the median and ulnar nerves in the forearm and hand.

KINAESTHETIC SENSE AND FINE MOTOR DEXTERITY IN KEYBOARD PLAYERS.

Background: Fine motor skills are controlled movements caused by coordination of the central nervous system, the muscle fibrils and intrinsic muscles of the hand. Studies exhibit that repetitive movements, overuse, fatigue and the posture attained have an effect on the motor skills of the keyboardists. The biomechanics of keyboard playing and its related factors attribute to cause deficit in motor skills and proprioception. This study was carried out to assess the kinaesthetic sense and fine motor dexterity. Methodology: 15 subjects each from the keyboard playing group and non-keyboard playing group were selected by purposive sampling on the basis of inclusion criteria for the study to perform the Purdue pegboard test and the kinaesthetic awareness test to assess their fine motor skills. Conclusion: Kinaesthetic sense and fine motor dexterity was significantly affected in keyboard players.