Analysis of hand-forearm anthropometric components in assessing handgrip and pinch strengths of school-aged children and adolescents: a partial least squares (PLS) approach

Exploratory analysis using machine learning algorithms to predict pinch strength by anthropometric and socio-demographic features

Objectives. This study examines the role of different machine learning (ML) algorithms to determine which socio-demographic factors and hand-forearm anthropometric dimensions can be used to accurately predict hand function. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 7119 healthy Iranian participants (3525 males and 3594 females) aged 10-89 years. Seventeen hand-forearm anthropometric dimensions were measured by JEGS digital caliper and a measuring tape. Tip-to-tip, key and three-jaw chuck pinches were measured using a calibrated pinch gauge. Subsequently, 21 features pertinent to socio-demographic factors and hand-forearm anthropometric dimensions were used for classification. Furthermore, 12 well-known classifiers were implemented and evaluated to predict pinches. Results. Among the 21 features considered in this study, hand length, stature, age, thumb length and index finger length were found to be the most relevant and effective components for each of the three pinch predictions. The k-nearest neighbor, adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) and random forest classifiers achieved the highest classification accuracy of 96.75, 86.49 and 84.66% to predict three pinches, respectively. Conclusions. Predicting pinch strength and determining the predictive hand-forearm anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics using ML may pave the way to designing an enhanced tool handle and reduce common musculoskeletal disorders of the hand.

The moderating role of information technology governance in the relationship between board characteristics and continuity management during the Covid-19 pandemic in an emerging economy

The main aim of the current study is to investigate the relationship between governance characteristics, information technology governance, and continuity management during Covid-19 in an emerging economy. The study also examines the moderating role of information technology governance in the relationship between governance characteristics and business continuity management. The quantitative approach is used by utilising a survey questionnaire. A sample of 232 questionnaire surveys has been collected from the board of directors, top and middle management executives, external auditors, information technology experts, and some other respondents. The results were estimated using structural equation modelling. The results indicate that information technology governance has a statistically significant effect on business continuity. Board size, board independence, audit committee independence, audit committee diligence, and external audit have a statistically significant positive effect on information technology governance. Further, the results indicate that information technology governance significantly moderates the effect of board size, board independence, board diligence, audit committee independence, audit committee diligence, and external audit on business continuity. However, information technology governance does not moderate the relationship between board committees and business continuity, which indicates less board involvement in information technology governance. The current research provides insight into the role of information technology governance in business continuity management during crises. The present study provides a unique contribution as it investigates the relationship between corporate governance characteristics, information technology governance, and business continuity management during Covid-19, providing empirical evidence from an emerging country.

Association of handgrip strength with anthropometry of a Brazilian healthy adolescent sample

The importance of dynamometric and anthropometric information for industry is known; however, few studies have investigated the relationship between anthropometry and handgrip strength (HGS) in adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of anthropometric variables with the level of HGS production in adolescents. Participants were 541 adolescents aged 12-16 years from a public school in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The behavior of the following variables was examined: the ability to generate HGS, age, total body mass, height and hand dimensions (hand width, hand span, hand length). The results showed an increase in the ability to generate HGS in adolescence and a significant difference between the genders from 13 years old, where boys generated higher HGS values. Correlations between HGS and total body mass and the hand width stood out in both genders, indicating a greater association.

Hand grip strength should be normalized by weight not height for eliminating the influence of individual differences: Findings from a cross-sectional study of 1,511 healthy undergraduates

Background

Hand grip strength (HGS) is a fast, useful, and inexpensive outcome predictor of nutritional status and muscular function assessment. Numerous demographic and anthropometric factors were reported to be associated with HGS, while which one or several factors produce greater variations in HGS has not been discussed in detail. This is important for answering how should HGS be normalized for eliminating the influence of individual differences in clinical practice.

Aims

To compare the contribution of age, sex, height, weight, and forearm circumference (FCF) to variations in HGS based on a large-scale sample.

Methods

We enrolled 1,511 healthy undergraduate students aged 18-23 years. Age, weight, height, and sex were obtained. HGS was measured using a digital hand dynamometer, and FCF was measured at the point of greatest circumference using a soft ruler in both hands. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated with data of women and men separated and mixed for comparison. Partial correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression were used to compare the effect of variables on HGS.

Results

Analysis results confirmed the correlates of higher HGS include higher height, heavier weight, being men and dominant hand, and larger FCF. The correlation between HGS and FCF was the highest, and the bivariate correlation coefficient between weight and HGS was largerata of women and men were mixed, than that between height and HGS. When data of women and men were mixed, there were moderate correlations between HGS and height and weight (r = 0.633∼0.682). However, when data were separated, there were weak correlations (r = 0.246∼0.391). Notably, partial correlation analysis revealed no significant correlation between height and HGS after eliminating the weight effect, while the correlation between weight and HGS was still significant after eliminating the height effect. Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed sex was the most significant contributor to the variation in HGS (Beta = -0.541 and -0.527), followed by weight (Beta = 0.243 and 0.261) and height (Beta = 0.102 and 0.103).

Conclusion

HGS and FCF reference values of healthy college students were provided. Weight was more correlate with hand grip strength, at least among the healthy undergraduates.

Clinical trial registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=165914, identifier ChiCTR2200058586.

Handgrip strength and its correlation with anthropometric determinants and hand dimensions in children aged 6-12 years: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Handgrip strength is considered an important interpreter of general health, and hand functions in children. It is mainly influenced by anthropometric determinants and hand dimensions.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the handgrip strength and their association with anthropometric determinants, hand circumference, hand span, and hand length among school children in both the dominant and non-dominant hand.

METHODS

Anthropometric measurements, hand circumference, hand span, hand length, and grip strength measurements were obtained from 133 school children of both genders aged 6-12 years. A Jamar hand-held dynamometer was used to measure handgrip strength and the hand dimensions with a tape measure in cm.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found between the handgrip strength among boys and girls. The dominant hand was found to be sturdier than the non-dominant hand in both genders. We also found a significant correlation of anthropometric determinants and hand dimensions with handgrip strength. Age, BMI, hand circumference, hand span, and hand length had a strong correlation with grip strength (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed the reference values and concluded its correlations with hand dimensions among school children aged 6-12 years and this information can serve as a manual for interpretation of handgrip strength measurements in children.

Isometric strength of upper limb muscles in youth using hand-held and hand-grip dynamometry

The present study aimed to determine the isometric strength profile of the upper limb muscles of children and adolescents between 7–15 years of age. Furthermore, to (a) identify the age at which differences in strength are observed between sexes; to (b) determine the age range at which significant progression of strength could be observed; and (c) identify the role of each muscle on the total upper limb strength. Cross-sectional study that evaluated the isometric strength of nine muscle groups of the upper limb of 243 Chilean children, split into 9 age groups, separated by 1-year intervals. For this, hand-held dynamometry and hand-grip dynamometry were used. A two-factor analysis of variance for the maximum isometric strength and a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were performed. From 11 years of age, wrist flexors were the first muscle group that revealed a significant difference in isometric strength in favor of boys (P=0.0143). In boys, the narrowest and earliest age range in the progression of isometric strength was 10 to 12 years for wrist flexors (P=0.0392). Shoulder flexors was the main factor that explained the performance of the total upper limb strength (R²=0.742; P<0.001). The most progressive isometric strength development occurred from age 10 years in the ventral and distal muscles of the upper limb; and from this age the boys begin to present a greater isometric strength than girls. In addition, the isometric strength of shoulder flexors explained the higher total upper limb strength performance.

Normative data for handgrip strength in Iranian healthy children and adolescents aged 7-18 years: comparison with international norms

BACKGROUND

Grip strength is an essential component of physical fitness. The objective of this study was to develop normative handgrip strength data for Iranian healthy boys and girls comparing their handgrip strength with international reference values.

METHODS

Handgrip strength was measured in 2637 healthy children/adolescents (1391 boys and 1246 girls), aged 7-18 years, using a standard adjustable Jamar hand dynamometer (Model 5030 J1, Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA). Body mass (kg) and stature (cm) were measured and body mass index was computed in kg/m2. The sample was stratified by gender, age, and hand preference.

RESULTS

Handgrip strength increased with age and was considerably higher in boys than in girls for all age groups (p < 0.001). Grip strength had a parallel and linear growth for both genders until the age of about 11 years and showed a steeper upward slope in boys than in girls thereafter. The findings of the current investigation were significantly different from those of the previously published normative data, especially for boys over the age of 12 years and girls in the age range of 7-18 years (p < 0.001). This difference was mainly in such a way that the Iranians had lower handgrip strength.

CONCLUSIONS

The differences between present results and those of similar available in the literature in this field emphasize the significant role of using normative data specific to a particular population in research or clinical settings.

Hand functionality in dentists: the effect of anthropometric dimensions and specialty

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dentists' hand functionality (handgrip, tip-to-tip pinch, key pinch and palmar pinch strengths) and dental specialty (maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, pediatric dentistry), socio-demographic factors and hand-forearm anthropometric dimensions. Methods. A cross-sectional study was designed in which 720 certified dentists (330 males and 390 females) voluntarily participated in the study. A tape measure (±0.1 cm) and a digital caliper (±0.1 mm) were used to measure anthropometric dimensions. A Jamar dynamometer and pinch gauge were used to measure hand strength variables. Results. Hand strengths decreased with age and clinical experience, and were always greater in male than female dentists. Maxillofacial surgeons aged 35-39 years attained the highest values of handgrip and key pinch strengths, while endodontists aged 30-34 years attained the peak values of tip-to-tip pinch strength. Among the measured hand dimensions, forearm circumference was significantly greater in maxillofacial surgeons compared with endodontists and pediatric dentists. Conclusion. Hand functionality is specialty-related among dentists because distinct dental specialties expose practitioners to different task demands. Like any other manual workers, dentists need more ergonomic and usable hand tools tailored not only to the intended application but also to the anthropometry of users.