RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAND DOMINANCE, FOREARM MUSCLE MORPHOMETRY AND GRIP STRENGTH: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM EASTERN INDIA
Main Article Content
Keywords
Grip strength, hand dominance, forearm muscle morphometry, ultrasound, Eastern India
Abstract
Grip strength is a vital indicator of overall muscle strength and functional capacity. The relationship between hand dominance, forearm muscle morphometry, and grip strength remains incompletely understood in the Indian population, particularly in Eastern India.
Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between hand dominance and forearm muscle morphometry with grip strength among healthy adults in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
Methodology: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar from January 2025 to June 2025. A total of 180 healthy adults (age 18-35 years) were recruited through convenient sampling. Hand dominance was assessed using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Grip strength was measured using a calibrated Jamar hand dynamometer, and forearm muscle thickness was evaluated using ultrasound imaging (7-12 MHz linear probe). Anthropometric measurements including forearm length and circumference were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 with paired t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis.
Results: The mean grip strength in the dominant hand (38.4 ± 7.2 kg in males, 24.8
± 4.6 kg in females) was significantly higher than the non-dominant hand (34.7 ± 6.8 kg in males, 22.1 ± 4.2 kg in females; p<0.001). Forearm flexor muscle thickness showed strong positive correlation with grip strength (r=0.72, p<0.001). The dominant hand exhibited 8.2% greater muscle thickness compared to the non-dominant side (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Hand dominance significantly influences grip strength and forearm muscle morphometry. These findings have important implications for rehabilitation protocols and normative data establishment for the Eastern Indian population.
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Dr Imran Khan Shamiullah Khan
Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Dr Afreen Imran Khan
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Dr. Alok Pritam
Assistant Professor Cum Statistician, Department of Community Medicine, Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Dr. Shivanand Gundalli
Professor, Department of Pathology, Mahabodhi Medical College, Gaya, Bihar
