Asymmetry of max grip force and max rate of grip force development among adolescents with and without intellectual disability

Abstract

The human body seems symmetrical but functional asymmetry can be observed for many tasks. One of the tasks observed the functional asymmetry is grip force and rate of grip force development (RGFD). To efficiently accomplish many tasks, it is important to measure those parameters in different ages and special groups. Thus, the purpose of the study was to test asymmetry of max grip force and max RGFD among adolescents with and without intellectual disability. 41 adolescents with (IQ between 50 and 70) and 41 adolescents without intellectual disability voluntarily participated to the study. Max grip force and max RGFD was measured using a force transducer with custom-made software. The statistical analysis displayed that adolescents without intellectual disability had higher max grip force and max RGFD with their both hands compared to adolescent with intellectual disability. Interestingly, whereas adolescent without intellectual disability displayed an asymmetry between the hands both for max grip force and max RGFD, adolescents with intellectual disability had asymmetry only for max grip force but not for max RGFD. Thus, adolescents with intellectual disability may have symmetrical neurological pathways. Individuals with intellectual disability should be provided with more physical activity and/or exercise opportunities including the bimanual movements with fast and ballistic actions.

Keywords:

• hand asymmetry
• lateralization
• grip force
• rate of grip force development
• intellectual disability
• physical fitness

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Gülcan Bayındırlı, Dr. Kürşat Özcan, and Özkan Beyaz for their contributions in recruitment and data collection, and Dr. Mehmet Uygur his valuable comments to the manuscript. Special thanks also to all participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.