ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIM: The most significant factors which affect overall muscle strength and endurance still remain a subject of debate. This study investigated the relationship between anthropometrics, hand dominance and gender with limb muscle strength and endurance among university undergraduates.
METHODS: A total of 333 undergraduates comprising 248 right-handed and 85 left-handed participants who were males and females between the ages of 15-29 participated in this cross-sectional study and were selected using disproportionate stratified sampling technique with a random start. Body height and weight were measured with a stadiometer in m and kg respectively, BMI was calculated with the formula weight(kg)/height(m2). Forearm circumference was measured with a standard measuring tape. A handheld dynamometer was used to measure handgrip strength (HGS) and handgrip endurance (HGE) respectively and an adapted leg dynamometer was used to measure lower limb muscle strength (LLMS) and lower limb muscle endurance (LLME) respectively. A body composition monitor was used to measure skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and body fat in % respectively. Edinburgh Handedness Questionnaire was used to ascertain participants` hand dominance. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05.
RESULTS: SMM had significant positive correlation with right and left HGS (ρ<0.001) and right and left LLMS (ρ<0.001) whereas it had significant negative correlation with left LLME (ρ<0.001). SMM had no significant correlation with right HGE (ρ= 0.514), left HGE (ρ= 0.216) and right LLME (ρ= 0.216). BMI had no significant correlation with right HGS, left HGS, right LLMS, left LLMS, right HGE, right LLME and left LLME (ρ>0.05).
CONCLUSION: SMM was significantly related with HGS, and LLMS but had no significant relationship with endurance. Muscle endurance was not significantly related with anatomical variations such as forearm circumference and anthropometrics except body weight which showed some significant relationship. Gender had no influence on relative endurance. BMI was not significantly related to muscle strength and endurance.
KEYWORDS: Anthropometric parameters, handgrip strength, endurance, lower limb muscle strength, endurance.
