Hand Grip Strength, Dexterity and Hand function and its Relationship with Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Functional Decline in a Selected Geriatric Population

• Main Authors: Chigozie I Uchenwoke, Ebere P Odoh, Ijeoma J. Ilo, Adaora J Okemuo, Chidiebele P Ojukwu, Sylvester C Chukwu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Light House Polyclinic Mangalore 2020-09-01
• Series: Online Journal of Health & Allied Sciences
• Subjects: aging; hand function; handgrip strength; dexterity; cardiorespiratory fitness; geriatric
• Online Access: https://www.ojhas.org/issue74/2020-2-10.html

Background/Objectives: Age associated skeletal muscle changes may impact on cardiorespiratory function. The study is aimed at investigating hand grip strength, dexterity and hand function and its relationship with selected cardiorespiratory fitness parameters and functional decline in a selected geriatric population. Materials and Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 115 (46 males and 69 females), geriatrics who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Their Hand grip strength (HGS), Dexterity using Coin Rotation Task (CRT), Hand function using Michigan hand outcome Questionnaire (MHQ), selected cardiorespiratory fitness parameters (FEV1, FVC, PEFR, FEV1/FVC,VO2max), functional decline using Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) and Demographic variables were assessed. Data was analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Pearson moment correlation and multiple regression analysis. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between HGS and FEV1 (r=0.326, p=0.001), FVC (r=0.295, p=0.001), PEFR (r=0.479, p=0.001), a statistically significant negative correlation between CRT and FEV1 (r=-0.318, p=0.001), FVC (r=-0.295, p=0.001), PEFR (r=-0.448, p=0.001) and a positive correlation for GARS (r=0.514, p=0.001); a statistically significant negative correlation between MHQ, FEV1 (r=-0.185, p=0.048), PEFR (r=-0.227, p=0.015). HGS statistically predicted FEV1 (p=0.001), PEFR (p=0.001) and GARS (p=0.001), Dexterity statistically predicted FEV1 (P=0.045), PEFR (P=0.002), GARS (p=0.001), while MHQ statistically predicted GARS (p=0.001). Conclusion: HGS, dexterity and hand function correlates and predicts some cardiorespiratory fitness parameters and functional decline in the elderly and thus, assessment of these parameters may be used clinically to determine individuals with elevated risk of cardiorespiratory impairment.