Impact of physical education curriculum on muscular strength of university students

Purpose: Physical education is a subject which improve the overall physical activity and strength of the students in school and college settings. The present study aimed to explore impact of physical education curriculum on the muscular strength in terms of hand grip strength of university students. Methods: A total of 100 university students, both male and female, participated in this study, representing multiple academic departments. Each participant’s physical characteristics, including height, weight, and BMI, were recorded. Hand grip strength was measured using right hand grip strength (RHGS), left hand grip strength (LHGS), and average hand grip strength (AHGS). Statistical analysis was conducted to compare physical parameters across departments and to assess correlations between physical characteristics and grip strength. Additionally, network analysis was used to visualize the interrelationships among variables. Results: The comparison of baseline characteristics between students in Physical Education and other departments showed no significant differences in height, weight, or BMI, indicating that physical characteristics were similar across groups. However, correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between grip strength and certain physical parameters, particularly weight and height. Network analysis highlighted that, for both male and female participants, weight was significantly correlated with hand grip strength, while height showed moderate associations. These findings suggest that students with higher weight and greater height tend to have stronger hand grip strength. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that physical parameters, especially weight and height, are important determinants of hand grip strength. These factors should be considered when assessing grip strength and designing training programs aimed at its improvement. For practitioners and educators in fields related to physical education and sports science, incorporating weight and height into grip strength evaluation and training can enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of program outcomes. This insight emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to grip strength development, integrating physical parameters to support optimal strength performance.