Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Health and Human Performance

Program

Exercise Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Lukus Klawitter

Abstract

Manual wheelchair users have been shown to have low physical capacity and impaired ability to perform activities of daily living. Current tests and protocols for assessing physical capacity in wheelchair users have specific boundaries. Measuring handgrip strength (HGS) with electronic handgrip dynamometers has been shown to be a reliable measure of muscle function and a convenient assessment of overall muscle strength. This study aimed to determine the correlation of maximal HGS, HGS rate of force development, HGS fatigability, HGS isometric control, and HGS asymmetry to a six-minute wheelchair propulsion (6MPT) test in ambulatory young adults. Thirty-four recreationally active ambulatory individuals aged 23.76±3.57yrs participated in this study. HGS was assessed using electronic handgrip dynamometry. Aerobic capacity was assessed using the 6MPT. Handgrip fatigability showed significant near moderate negative correlation (r=-0.345, p0.05) were also shown between handgrip rate of force development, fatigue, isometric control and asymmetry respectively. Our findings that additional measures of HGS were correlated with aerobic capacity in ambulatory adults may suggest measures of HGS could be predictive of aerobic capacity in those who use manual wheelchairs. Additional research is necessary to further understand these relationships.

Access Type

Open Access

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