Abstract
Objective: To assess the impact of upper limb strengthening exercises on hand writing speed and grip strength in physiotherapy students.
Study design: It is a Quasi-experimental study.
Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in Isra Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences (IIRS), Isra University Islamabad campus; over two weeks from December 12, 2022, to December 26, 2022.
Material and Methods: Thirty physiotherapy students underwent pre-intervention readings for hand grip strength (measured with a dynamometer) and hand writing speed (measured in words per minute). Upper limb strengthening exercises were conducted five days a week for two weeks, each session lasting 10 to 15 minutes. Exercises included bicep curls, triceps curls, mass finger flexion, mass finger extension, and tennis ball squeeze. Post-intervention readings were taken.
Results: Significant differences were observed in hand grip strength and writing speed between pre- and post-treatment scores. For female students (50%), significant differences were found in hand grip strength (p=0.002) and hand writing speed (p=0.000). For male students (50%), significant differences were found in hand grip strength (p=0.032) and hand writing speed (p=0.000).
Conclusion: Upper limb strengthening exercises led to significant improvements in hand grip strength and writing speed. Higher significant differences were seen in males compared to females in post-treatment hand grip strength. However, no significant difference was found between male and female post-treatment writing speed.
Keywords: Upper limb strengthening exercises, Hand grip strength, Hand writing speed.
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