Muscle activity and architecture as a predictor of hand-grip strength.

BACKGROUND

Grip strength is a powerful predictor of disability as well as a good indicator of physical activity.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to relate ultrasound (US) and electromyography (EMG) simultaneously to maximum hand-grip strength during an isometric contraction.

APPROACH

This is a cross-sectional study. Data acquisition was done with a dynamometer, US and EMG. Outcome variables included maximum strength during the hand-grip gesture, maximum muscle activity and change in muscle thickness. A non-linear regression analysis was performed to analyse the relationship between all outcome variables.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 38 subjects (18 men and 20 women) participated in the study. The mean results for hand-grip strength were 25.50 (SD 6.55) kg of maximum strength, a change in muscle thickness of 1.83 (SD 0.75) mm and an EMG activity of 499.29 (SD 224.20) µV. Hand-grip strength had a high correlation with muscle thickness (R = 0.61) and EMG activity (R = 0.95). The correlation between maximum muscle activity and change in muscle thickness was R = 0.83.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results of the present study demonstrate that this new method based on electromyographic activity and muscule architecture could be important in the development of the hand-grip test.