%0 Journal Article
%T Handgrip Strength in Individuals with Long- Standing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A preliminary report
%A CI Ezema
%A EV Iwelu
%A UO Abaraogu
%A OA Olawale
%J African Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
%D 2012
%I 
%X Adequate muscle strength is required for optimum productivity and low muscle strength is a predictor of physical limitations. Individuals with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus have been found to have an increased risk of developing functional disabilities. Handgrip strength is a reliable measurement of the disability index. This study was designed to determine the effect of type 2 diabetes on handgrip strength in adults. Twenty adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (10 males, mean age: 52.9 ¡À 9.01 years and 10 females, mean age: 52.6 ¡À 5.71 years) and 20 apparently healthy adults (10 males, mean age: 53.1 ¡À 8.94 years and 10 females, mean age 54.5yrs¡À5.56 years) who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Handgrip strength was measured with an isometric hand dynamometer and comparisons were made between diabetic and non-diabetic males as well as between diabetic and non-diabetic females. Thev independent t-test were used to analyse the significance difference in hand grip strength between the diabetic and the non- diabetic subjects (p=0.05). Results showed significant differences in the mean handgrip strength between the male diabetic and nondiabetic subjects (p<0.004), as well as between the female diabetic and non-diabetic subjects (p<0.002). Long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus seems to result in a decrease in handgrip strength in both male and female adults. This physical limitation may contribute to low productivity in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
%U http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajprs/article/view/82213