Differences in anthropometric variables and muscle strength in relation to competitive level in male handball players

Somatic characteristics manifested in different body morphology have great importance for the selection of athletes in most sports. The aim of our study is to evaluate the differences in anthropometric variables and isometric strength of handball players presenting different levels of sports competence, and to study the discriminative power of selected morphological characteristics that do not change in the training process. The study included the results of anthropometric measurements routinely used to monitor athletes, and body proportion indices were calculated. Fat percentage was assessed using the BIA, whereas body build was assessed using the Heath-Carter method. Measurements of right and left hand grip strength and back strength were taken. The results of measurements and calculations were analyzed using statistical methods. It was shown that players presenting the highest level dominate by the overall size and massiveness of the body, characteristics ensuring an advantage in direct confrontation. The size of subcutaneous fat tissue and percentage of body fat varied poorly between athletes in each group. Muscle strength assessed under static conditions shows a gradient in magnitude across teams from higher to lower rank, but the differences are not statistically significant. The same somatotype (balanced mesomorph) was present in all groups. Athletes presenting high sports level are characterized by body proportions that determine biomechanical conditions conducive to optimizing the structure of movements important in handball. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that throwing-related characteristics (hand length, upper arm length, upper limb span, lower limb length) account for 88% of the variance in team ranking and can be used to identify the morphological predisposition of adepts to play handball.

Correlation of Anthropometry of Hand with Wrist Extensor Strength in Normal Asymptomatic Individuals

Introduction: Measurement of hand grip strength is the basic criteria for the evaluation of hand structure and function. The human hand serves various dynamic purposes in day to day activities of an individual. Infact, the entire upper limb is functional because of the hand. This study was carried out to find out if there is any relation between the anthropometric measurements of the hand and the wrist extensor strength of Indian adults. Methodology: A data was collected of 75 individuals with no pathological abnormalities from Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha. The consent of all the individuals was taken and they were informed about the procedure. The individuals were evaluated for wrist extensor strength by using a hand-held dynamometer. Also, the hand measurements such as hand length and width using a measuring tape. Results: The average wrist extensor strength of the right hand of the individuals was found to be more than that of the left hand. The length of both the hands was almost equal while the width of the left hand was greater than the right hand. Conclusion: There is a slight positive Correlation between the average wrist extensor strength and the length and width of the hand which can play a vital role in the rehabilitation process.

The Most Important Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship with the severity of the disease. Methods: A total of 131 patients with clinical symptoms of CTS and 131 normal subjects were enrolled, of whom 121 were female both in the CTS cases and the controls. All cases were electro diagnostically confirmed and assigned to three severity groups. BMI, wrist ratio, shape index, digit index and hand length/height ratio were measured in all participants. Mean values for each item were compared between cases and controls and severity subgroups. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent CTS risk factors. Results: The mean values of BMI, wrist ratio and shape index were significantly higher in all CTS patients and females compared to controls, whereas in males only BMI and wrist ratio were higher. The patients in the mild severity subgroup had a significantly lower age and wrist ratio. BMI, wrist ratio and shape index were found to be independent risk factors of CTS development in all patients and females. Conclusion: Our study showed BMI, wrist ratio and shape index as independent risk factors for CTS. These findings are important anatomically and clinically and these are the risk factors of anatomical malfunction of the wrist in CTS.

Prediction of stature from long bones versus hand and foot measurements: A comparative study of the Kolhapur population

Background Estimation of stature is usually done by measurement of the long bones. Although hand and foot dimensions are useful in predicting stature, they are population-specific. Methods We compared the accuracy of predicting stature by hand and foot dimensions, with long bone (tibia and ulna) lengths, and developed a stature predictive regression formula from the parameters used for the sample population in Kolhapur. We recorded hand and foot measurements and long bone measurements of 1000 consenting participants 18–50 years of age using a stadiometer for height and an anthropometric rod compass for other measurements. Correlation between the variables and stature was determined using Pearson’s correlation analysis (p<0.05). A multiple linear regression formula was derived for the prediction of stature. Results A positive correlation was observed between mean stature and foot length (r=0.67, p<0.05), tibia (r=0.66, p<0.05), ulna (r= 0.75, p<0.05) and hand length (r=0.69 left, r=0.72 right, p<0.05). There was no correlation between foot breadth and stature. Multiple linear regression analysis of hand and foot dimensions returned R2=62.96 and standard error of estimate 4.689 with comparable computed and experimental measurements. Conclusion The dimensions of the hand and foot can be used to predict stature. The formula derived from the multiple regression analysis incorporating hand and foot dimensions is a good fit to estimate stature in the study population.

Association of the dominant handgrip strength with the hand dimensions of adult Bangladeshi female laborers

The handgrip strength determines the overall physical health and muscle function of the hand. Nowadays in Bangladesh, female laborers are an important source of work force in many industries. Laborers require more handgrip strength to perform their daily work efficiently. Besides, hand is the part of the body that directly related with handgrip strength, so, the hand dimensions are deemed essential to investigate. Therefore this study is to investigate the association of the dominant handgrip strength with the hand dimensions like hand length, hand breadth, hand span, palm length, palm breadth and wrist breadth of adult Bangladeshi female laborers. Hundred (100) adult female laborers aged between 18 to 45 years, residing in different slums in Dhaka city of Bangladesh were the participants of the present research. Six selected hand dimensions of the right side were measured using the digital slide caliper by direct physical procedure and dominant handgrip strength was measured using a digital handgrip dynamometer. The associations of the dominant handgrip strength with the selected six hand dimensions were tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient test. The mean value of the dominant handgrip strength of the laborers was 25.6 kg. In present research, the dominant handgrip strength was positively associated with the six selected hand dimensions (hand length, hand breadth, hand span, palm length, palm breadth and wrist breadth). However, the association of dominant handgrip strength with the breadth of hand, palm and wrist reached up to significant level individually. Besides, to get desired success in work of a female laborer, it is important to see the hand anthropometry and handgrip strength, because, better handgrip strength lead to better performance in work. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 230-237

Hand measurement and analysis based on image and mark watershed algorithm

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a method for hand measurement based on image and marker watershed algorithm, and combine the data to analyze the shape and characteristics of the hand.Design/methodology/approachA portable hand image capturing instrument was designed and manufactured, and the hand images and dimensions of 328 young men in Zhejiang area were obtained. The outer contour curve of the hand and the key points of finger root, fingertip, wrist and knuckle position were extracted. Then, the size of each hand part was calculated. The hand data obtained from the two-dimensional image was compared with the manual measurement data. Finally, the hands were classified according to the measurement data, and the relationship between hand control size and hand length, hand width and the relationship between hand length and height were explored.FindingsThe data comparison results show that the two measurement methods have high data consistency and are replaceable. In addition, analyzing the data obtained four major characteristic factors that affect the shape of the hand, divided the hands of young men in Zhejiang into five categories, and obtained the regression equations of basic hand size, hand length and hand width, and obtained the regression equation of hand length and height.Originality/valueThe method proposed in this study to obtain hand size based on the image and mark watershed algorithm has lower requirements on the external environment and testers, conforms to the development trend of applying artificial intelligence to anthropometric engineering and provides a useful reference value for data collection of gloves specification design. In addition, the results of data analysis can provide a valuable reference basis for consumer hand shape predictions, which can be used to guide the research and production of hand instruments, the design of specifications series and the purchase of hand products.

Association between ocular axial length and anthropometrics of Asian adults

Objective The purpose of this study is to analyze axial length, body height, hand length, and foot length to find new factors that predict myopia and to identify gender differences as one of the factors of high myopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted as a single observation. Body height, hand length, and foot length were measured according to standard anthropometric methods. Axial length, retinal thickness, and choroidal thickness were measured using the IOL Master 700 and the Heidelberg Spectralis-OCT. To account for body height differences among participants, foot length/body height and hand length/body height were analyzed using a mixed-effects model. Results A total of 80 eyes (men, n = 20, 40 eyes; women, n = 20, 40 eyes) were analyzed. The mean age was 33.5 years (range 21–59 years, SD: 9.6). For choroidal thickness, there was a significant association with axial length in men (p < 0.001) and a trend toward an association in women (p = 0.072). There was also a significant association between foot length/body height and axial length in men (p = 0.015), but not in women (p = 0.58). These results suggest that factors that determine body height and foot length may be related to axial length, although they vary by gender.

CORRELATION BETWEEN HAND LENGTH AND FOOT LENGTH IN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS OF F H MEDICAL COLLEGE

Introduction: Human beings are considered to be bilaterally symmetrical. However, there is no symmetry in the length of the feet irrespective of sex or handedness. The hand length could predict bodyweight and body surface area independent of the sex of the individual. But there was no so much data available in the literature showing the relationship between hand length and foot length. Aim and objective: The present study was conducted to derive the correlation between hand length and foot length and the results demonstrate that there was highly signicant correlation between them. Material and Methods:Across sectional study was carried out on 200 healthy and normal adult professional students of either sex (100 Male and 100 Female), age between 18-25 years. Result:the hand length and foot length were compared between the right and left sides, the data showed that the signicant difference between males and females on both sides was highly signicant for all the parameters measured with p value < 0.01 Conclusion:The results of current study indicate that if the hand length is known, foot length can be predicted and if the foot length is known, hand length can be predicted and vice versa.

Is Arm-span an accurate measure of stature? A cross sectional study in North Indian population

Background: The estimation of inter-relationship between various body parameters and stature has been an important tool in anthropometric measurements. It is found to be of great importance in such cases where direct measurement of stature is not possible. A wide variety of parameters are used for estimation of stature including arm spam, hand length, foot length, demi span, knee height, sitting position etc. In this study arm span is used for stature estimation. Aims and Objective: To find the accuracy of arm-span in predicting standing height of both males and females in studied population. Materials and Methods: The study involved 600 participants (300 males and 300 females). The data for study collected from Rajasthan by means of community visits. The standing height and arm-span were measured for each individual and analyzed. Correlation coefficient and regression equation was generated. Results: A positive correlation was found to exist between the arm-span and stature. The correlation coefficient r was found to be 0.9. In the studied population, the arm span was found to be a strong predictor of Stature. Conclusion: It can be concluded that arm-span can be used in estimation of the height of both males and females. Arm span is reliable tool for obtaining the approximate stature of an individual. It can be used for the purpose of medico-legal cases too.

Association between Axial Length of the Eye and Length of Each Part of the Body

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze axial length, body height, hand length, and foot length to find new factors that predict myopia and to identify gender differences as one of the factors of high myopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted as a single observation. Body height, hand length, and foot length were measured according to standard anthropometric methods. Axial length, retinal thickness, and choroidal thickness were measured using the IOL Master 700 and the Heidelberg Spectralis-OCT. To account for body height differences among participants, foot length / body height and hand length / body height were analyzed using a mixed-effects model.Results: A total of 80 eyes (men, n=20, 40 eyes; women, n=20, 40 eyes) were analyzed. The mean age was 33.5 years (range 21-59 years, SD: 9.6). For choroidal thickness, there was a significant association with axial length in men (p<0.001) and a trend toward an association in women (p=0.072). There was also a significant association between foot length / body height and axial length in men (p=0.015), but not in women (p=0.58). These results suggest that factors that determine body height and foot length may be related to axial length, although they vary by gender.