Comparison of Upper-Body Y-Balance Test Scores and Hand Grip Strength in Active-Duty Law Enforcement Officers

Hand grip strength (HGS) is often associated with upper body strength and shoulder stability. The UB Y-Balance test (YBTUB) can also be used to assess stability of the upper extremities, as well as dynamic balance and mobility. Despite the related outcomes, published research on the relationship between these two measures in law enforcement officers is scarce. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between HGS and YBTUB in active law enforcement officers. METHODS: Twenty right-handed, active, male law enforcement officers (39.4 ± 9.1 y, 178.4 ± 7.2 cm, 93.2 ± 12.2 kg) volunteered to complete measures of HGS and YBTUB. Participants were cleared for active duty and had no current injuries. HGS was measured bilaterally using a hand-held dynamometer, with the highest of three measures recorded. For the YBTUB participants maintained a push-up position with the right hand while reaching in three directions (medial, superolateral, and inferolateral) with the left hand. This was repeated with alternative hand positions. To determine a composite score for the right and left limbs (YBTUB-R and YBTUB-L, respectively), upper limb length was measured bilaterally from the C7 spinous process to the tip of the right middle finger with the arm abducted to 90°. Correlations were used to compare YBTUB and HGS scores using SPSS version 30 (IBM Corp) with an alpha significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Right HGS and YBTUB-R showed a non-significant, weak inverse relationship (r = -0.12, p = 0.63). Left HSG and YBTUB-L showed a non-significant, weak positive relationship (r = 0.10, p = 0.67). Scores for the YBTUB-R and YBTUB-L (82.7 ± 8.5% and 84.2 ± 9.7%, respectively) were below average for active men, whereas right and left HGS scores (51.3 ± 7.0 kg and 49.3 ± 7.5 kg, respectively) fell into the average category. CONCLUSION: The HGS in this population may reflect occupational tasks—such as firearms handling and defensive tactics—that preferentially strengthen hand and forearm muscles without necessarily enhancing dynamic shoulder stability, potentially explaining the lack of association with the YBTUB. Given the importance of shoulder stability for occupational tasks and the below average trend in upper extremity stability scores in the current study, the use of both HGS and YBTUB may be recommended to assess health status.