Abstract

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This study aims to investigate the correlation between hand dominance, body mass index (BMI), and isometric grip strength among undergraduate students in the Human Kinetics Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria.A correlational research design was employed, with 25 undergraduate students aged 18 to 23 selected via purposive sampling. Data on hand dominance, BMI, and grip strength were collected using standardised tools and analysed using IBM SPSS version 20. The study found a weak positive correlation between BMI and both dominant and non-dominant hand grip strength. Additionally, a significant difference in grip strength was observed between dominant and non-dominant hands. However, a weak negative correlation was noted between age and grip strength. These findings suggest that higher BMI may be associated with stronger grip strength in both hands among undergraduate students. Moreover, hand dominance significantly influences grip strength. The study underscores the importance of considering these factors when assessing grip strength. However, limitations include the small sample size and the cross-sectional design, warranting caution in generalising the results. Future research should explore these relationships in larger and more diverse populations, employing longitudinal study designs to capture changes over time. Additionally, investigating additional anthropometric variables could provide a more comprehensive understanding of grip strength determinants.

Keywords: Anthropometric variables, Musculoskeletal strength, Hand dominance, Undergraduate students, Correlational research