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Functional capacity assessment of upper limbs in healthy young adult subjects

Avaliação da capacidade funcional de membros superiores em indivíduos adultos jovens saudáveis

Abstract

Introduction

Assessing the functional capacity of the upper limbs (UL) is essential to direct treatments in clinical practice but there is a lack of research on specific methods for this end.

Objective

To verify the relationship of physical activity, grip strength (GS) and body mass index (BMI) with performance on 6-minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT) in healthy subjects.

Methods

Cross-sectional, exploratory and quantitative study. Apparently healthy adults were evaluated, both sexes, according to sociodemographic and anthropometric aspects, health conditions, physical activity level (IPAQ - short version), GS and functional capacity of the upper limbs (6PBRT). The data were analyzed descriptively using means, standard deviations, absolute figures and percentages. Correlations were found between variables using Spearman’s correlation coefficient (p < 0.05). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, version 17.0 was used for analysis purposes.

Results

In total, 50 individuals were evaluated, the majority classified as active (54%). The mean GS was 30.70 ± 9,47kgf and the average number of loops moved during the 6PBRT was 277.6 ± 34.48. There was no correlation between the number of rings moved in 6PBRT and the level of physical activity (r = 0.076; p = 0.602), GS (r = -0.008; p = 0.956) or BMI (r = 0.031; p = 0.829).

Conclusion

The level of physical activity, GS and BMI did not influence the performance on 6PBRT, demonstrated by the lack of correlation between these variables.

Keywords:
Assessment; Upper Extremity; Muscle Strength; Motor Activity; Healthy Volunteers

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