Evaluation of the sport intervention effect on the grip strength of workers exposed to hand-arm vibration

Abstract

Introduction: Grip strength is one of the important parameters in hand muscle function that vibration can have a negative effect on it. The aim of this study was to determine of the sport intervention effect on the grip strength of workers exposed to hand-arm vibration. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-interventional study, 41 workers were studied in one of the metal industries in Isfahan. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires, hand-arm vibration acceleration was measured according to ISO 5349 and grip strength was measured with a Jamar dynamometer. The intervention of hand sport movement was performed after measuring the workers' strength grip for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21 software. Results: Workers' grip strength was significant before and after exposure to vibration (PValue <0.001). The grip strength average of workers before work with vibrating tool was 42.16±3.8 kg force and after the end of work shift and finishing work with vibrating tool was 39.55±3.97 kg force. Amounts differences of grip strength were obtained significant before the intervention execution of hand sport movements with grip strength after intervention execution (Pvalue <0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed, vibration reduced the grip strength of workers; while doing intervention of hand sport movements was effective in improving the workers grip strength. Therefore, performing sports movements effectively and efficiently leads to improving the grip strength of workers exposed to vibration.

Keywords

• hand-arm vibration
• grip strength
• musculoskeletal disorders
• sport.