Hand strength in adult athletes with Down syndrome

Influence of sex and body composition

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to determine the maximal isometric hand strength (MIHS) among a young adult Down syndrome (DS) population and to study the possible influence of sex and body composition on these variables.

Method. A total of 22 young adults, 14 males and 8 females, with Down syndrome were evaluated (ages 26.77 ± 6.07 years, weight 62.37 ± 9.97 kg and height 155.32 ± 9.35 cm). Strength variable monitored was maximal isometric strength of both hands using an isometric dynamometer with load cell. Anthropometric features were obtained and recorded, such as contracted arm perimeter and forearm circumference, following the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol. Arms and body composition were obtained with a bioimpedance analyzer.

Results. Men obtained significantly stronger results (p < = 0.01) than women for both hands (right: 29.18 ± 11.79 kg vs 18.52 ± 5.28 kg; left: 29.72 ± 12.33 kg vs 19.42 ± 4.93 kg). MIHS for the right hand correlated with right forearm circumference (r = 0.77), right arm fat free mass (r = 0.64) and body fat free mass (r = 0.61). However, the MIHS for the left hand only correlated with right forearm circumference (r = 0.66). No relationship was found in any of the cases between the MIHS from both hands and contracted arm perimeter.

Conclusions. DS active young adults in this study had a higher MIHS than women for both hands. This may be due to increased muscle mass in the forearm of men.