Studies have shown a link between hand grip strength and a variety of overall health markers such as health related quality of life, sleep and stress mainly in the general population and elderly population. However, this study aims to evaluate the relationships between hand grip strength, health related quality of life, perceived stress and sleep quality within a UK university student population
This was an observational, cross sectional study including 74 participants from a Southeast England University. Participants between 18-50 years, were recruited face to face from student cafe's by providing them with an information sheet and consent form following ethical approval. Participants were excluded if they had any underlying health condition or medication limiting participation in the handgrip strength (HGS) measurement and filling of questionnaires. Participants completed a questionnaire which comprised of four sections: Short form- 36 (SF-36), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). These tools were shown to have high reliability and validity within the sample population and study variables. The first section of the questionnaire was dedicated to gathering digital consent to participate, and general demographic information. Takei 5401 Handheld Digital Dynamometer was utilised to measure participants’ HGS data; all devices were calibrated prior to use by the university technicians. A standard operating procedure was created for the taking of HGS measurements using the dominant hand, with the handle adjusted to rest on the middle phalanx of the hands third digit; participants completed one maximal hand grip strength contraction. Findings were then recorded on an excel sheet. All data were analysed using SPSS ver.21.
Of the 74 participants, the median age was 23 years old (IQR = 11), with the majority of participants from Sports and Health Sciences. Following normality testing using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests, it was established that most variables were non-normally distributed. Male participants (n=31), 90.3% suffered from ‘moderate’ to ‘high’ stress and ‘poor sleep’ as reported by the PSS and PSQI outcome measures respectively. While in females, (n=43), 100% self-reported to have ‘moderate’ to ‘high’ stress and 79.1% reported poor sleep quality. Correlation analysis demonstrated HGS had a weak negative correlation with physical functioning (r=0.42, p=0.03) and a positive relationship with emotional well being (r=0.25, p=0.03). Conclusion(s): Overall, student populations across UK universities suffer from significant stress and poor sleep quality. Hand grip strength had a positive relationship with emotional wellbeing.
Overall, student populations across UK universities suffer from significant stress and poor sleep quality. Hand grip strength had a positive relationship with emotional wellbeing.
Students must be informed of the implications of poor sleep, stress and physical activity for which education programs must be organised by the Universities to raise awareness.
Stress
Sleep
