A comparison of the muscle activation, proprioception and anthropometric characteristics of the dominant and non-dominant wrists

Abstract

Purpose: Manual asymmetry refers to tendency that is in favor of hand to perform manual tasks requiring skills, it is important in every sensory and motor function. This study aimed to compare the muscle activation, proprioception, and anthropometric characteristics of the dominant and non-dominant wrists.

Methods: In the study, forty young individuals aged between 18-25 years, who volunteered to participate, were included. As anthropometric measurements, the upper extremity length measurement forearm length measurement, hand length measurement wrist diameter measurement, hand width, shape and digit index measurements were performed, respectively. The muscle strength of wrist flexor and extensor muscles was measured by a hand dynamometer, while their muscle activations were measured by electromyography. The arm carrying angle was evaluated by a universal goniometer.

Results: The mean age of the individuals included in the study was 22.51 +/- 0.35 years. In the right dominant individuals, when the dominant and non-dominant sides were compared, a statistically significant difference was found between flexor muscle activations, muscle strength, and hand width (p<0.05). No difference was detected between the digit and shape indices, proprioception, wrist diameter, forearm length, cubital angles, and upper extremity length (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Finding the dominant side's wrist flexor muscle activations, extensor muscle strength, and hand widths better in young individuals showed that the dominant side was frequently used in daily living activities. The difference was seen that the non-dominant side would be weaker and at higher risk of deformity with increasing age and in the presence of any rheumatic, orthopedic, and neurologic diseases.