A COMPARISON STUDY FOR STRENGTH OF UPPER LIMBS IN INTELLECTUAL DISABLED CHILDREN LIVING IN ALBANIA

Keida USHTELENCA, Mirjeta CENAJ, Klevi AGALLI

Abstract

The hand strength test can be used to indicate problems of general health. Different studies have investigated the maximum hand grip strength in different groups of individuals such as adults, adolescents and children with and without disabilities. Moreover, the hand grip test has been shown to be a valid tool for measuring muscle strength in persons with some diseases and disabilities. The aim of this study was to compare the actual level of strength of upper limbs in children with intellectual disabilities. In this study participated 33 children from different schools in Albania. Children were selected in city of Tirana, Shkoder, Përmet and Roskovec after having the approval of the local authorities and the consent of their parents conforming survey ethics of anonymity. The instrument used to measure strength of upper limbs in children with intellectual disabilities is the handgrip test. Handgrip test used in this study is part of fitness battery ‘FUN Fitness’ which is validated and used internationally. The statistical analyses are performed via “IBM Statistics 22”. The statistical analyses include descriptive analyses through statistical descriptive indicators, as well as the Independent Samples Test. Descriptive statistics shows comparison between the two genders for both left and right handgrip strength: i.e. right handgrip strength in boys = 13.1 N and in girls = 9.8 N, and left handgrip strength in boys= 13.8 N and in girls = 8.6 N. Final results using Independent Samples Test show no statistical significance for the current level of upper limb strength (handgrip right F= 0.909, Sig =0.348 and handgrip left F=1.169, Sig= 0.288).

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