Power Grip Strength, Hand Anthropometry in Sedentary Workers and Knitters and Its Association with Changes in Working Experience of Knitters

Introduction: Hand anthropometry deals explicitly with the comparative measurement of the human hand, including grip strength. Power grip is required in daily activities such as carrying laundry, turning the doorknob and vacuuming. Power grips are used by knitters, manual workers, agricultural workers, laundry workers and rock climbers. Power grip strength could be used in designing and manufacturing tools specified for our fellow citizens to achieve greater efficiency of man and machine. By examining the differences in grip strength between sedentary workers and knitters, the study explores how work-related factors, such as prolonged and repetitive use of the hands, influence grip strength. Materials and Methods: This transverse comparative research was done at Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Thirty-three and 99 Bangladeshi adult male deskbound personnel (Group A) and needleworkers (Group B), control and experimental groups, respectively. Ninety-nine participants in the knitter group were further divided into three subgroups according to their work involvement. A hand dynamometer (Camry, ProHealthcareProducts.com 207 S 3421 W, Rexburg, ID 83440, USA) was utilised to gauge the grip power, and a Vernier calliper evaluated hand and palm dimensions. Results: A consistent positive association exists between knitting experience and increased power grip strength, hand length, palm length and hand span. Conclusion: There was a significant association between knitting experience and improved hand function, and dimensions paralleled seated or stationary workforces for both hands ( P < 0.05).