Em estudantes universitários da região Centro-Oeste do Brasil: as mulheres apresentam maiores diferenças contralaterais de preensão manual.

Abstract

Health profile studies provide data that serve as a parameter for professionals in different areas of knowledge. The measurement of hand grip strength (HGS) stands out because it is easy and non-invasive and represents not only hand strength but also the general state. The present study aimed to investigate, compare, and correlate the anthropometric and functional characteristics of HGS of two classes of the Physical Education undergraduate course in the Central-West region of Brazil over a one-year period. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational study with 38 individuals of both sexes. In the male group, a minimal difference was observed between the right and left hands, with a variation of -4% for the class of 2023 (no effect [Cohen's d = 0.18]) and -7% for the year 2024 (small effect [Cohen's d = 0.33]). For the female group, the difference between limbs drew attention, with a variation of -26% for the class of 2023 (large effect [Cohen's d = 1.45]) and -13% for the year 2024 (medium effect [Cohen's d = 0.72]). HGS is a non-invasive predictor of general health status and an important performance and public health tool. The present study pointed out that in higher education students, the difference between limbs for HGS in women requires greater attention since it was not observed only in one class but in different years.