Static and Dynamic Handgrip Endurance in Young Adults

Many professions involve manual gripping tasks requiring dynamic movements, concentric and eccentric muscle contractions, and static tasks like application of continuous, steady, isometric force for sustained period of time. These repetitive manual activities make an individual prone to various work related musculoskeletal disorders. This study assess the static and dynamic handgrip endurance, by performing sustained muscle contraction.

This observational study was conducted at Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune. 500 healthy volunteers in the age group of 18–25 years were included. Static endurance during sustained isometric contraction and dynamic endurance over a number of rhythmic repetitive contractions were assessed using a dynamometer, at 60% of Maximal Voluntary Contraction.

Data was analysed to examine the role of hand dominance and gender on MVC, Static hand grip endurance and Dynamic hand grip endurance. Significant difference in static and dynamic handgrip endurance of both the genders was seen (p < 0.001).

This study provides preliminary data on static and dynamic handgrip endurance in healthy young adults. While the strength of maximal voluntary contraction was more in males, females had higher static as well as dynamic endurance compared to males.