Correlation between Core Muscle Strength and Handwriting Speed among College Students

Rukmani Butail

doi:10.35248/2157-7595.24.14.407

Research - (2024)Volume 14, Issue 1

Correlation between Core Muscle Strength and Handwriting Speed among College Students

^*Correspondence: Rukmani Butail, Department of Physiotherapy, Amity University, Noida, India, Tel: 9592274457, Email:

Author info »

Abstract

Background: The trunk plays a vital role in limb excursion and manipulation. Hence core muscle strength invariably affects the performance of the upper extremity skills. Thus this study tried to determine the correlation between core muscle strength and handwriting speed among College students.

Methodology: 100 subjects were selected based on the selection criteria. Initially the core muscle strength was assessed using double leg lowering test then the core muscle endurance was assessed using McGill trunk endurance test. Then the handwriting speed was assessed using handwriting speed test.

Results: Pearson’s correlation analysis was done to find the relationship between handwriting speed and core strength, r value was calculated between double leg lowering test, Mcgill trunk endurance test and handwriting speed test. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. The p value calculated showed a significant relationship between the variables.

Conclusion: This study concludes that there is a moderate positive correlation between the core muscle strength and handwriting speed among college students.

Keywords

Core muscle strength; Double leg lowering test; Handwriting speed test; McGill trunk endurance test

Introduction

Writing is an essential function for students at homes, schools and college. A student spends nearly up to 50% of their day in performing writing tasks. Writing legibly and efficiently helps in accomplishing high level academic activities and to communicate important information to parents, teachers and peers. Handwriting speed is an integral component in writing task. It is the ability by which one is able to express knowledge about different subjects, it is a basic and essential life skill used as a form of expression and communication. It is an integrated process which involves close coordination between musculoskeletal and nervous system. It is a complex, fine motor skill, where fine, precise, coordinated movements occur in the extremity. Handwriting depends on anatomy of extremity, general health, mental perceptiveness, writing device, stable base of support, strength of shoulder muscles, posture, age [1].

A study found that students were seven times more likely to recall, revise class material a week after it was presented if the information was handwritten in their notes. Many studies state slow handwriting can lead to loss of motivation, evasion of school work. It increases time required for completing assignments. Slow writing affects the overall performance, it reduces confidence of student, it evades academic work and cause learning difficulties [2].

Core acts like a muscular corset, which functions as a whole unit to stabilize the body and spine with and without limb movement [3]. Core acts as the centre most part of the functional kinetic chain. Some researchers describe core as a double walled cylinder with abdominals as the front, paraspinals and gluteals as the back, diaphragm as the roof, pelvic floor and hip girdle at the bottom and hip abductors and rotators on the sides, all these insert into thoraco lumbar fascia which connects the upper and lower extremities with core which joins the superior inferior parts and right left parts of the abdomen. The core musculature consist muscles of trunk and pelvis which transfer energy from large torso to smaller extremities during many sports activities. If the core stability is less but extremities are strong there will be less force production and inefficient movement patterns [4].

The functional ability of core could affect performance and handwriting speed of the student. A study stated that a fatigue core has a significant effect on force produced by shoulder joint, this may affect the proximal distal principle of functioning. A weak core affects the posture of the child while sitting, resulting in a slump over the desk affecting the writing. A study found that core strength affects the posture in children, another study supported the statement and stated that abdominal muscle endurance was reduced in subjects having lordotic posture leading to low back pain. Core also affects the fine motor skills off children thus affecting the writing speed. A study found a relation between core strength and fine motor skills in children which were seen as significant correlated. Core also affects the writing speed by altering the hand eye coordination. Research states that core muscle strength affects the performance of the upper extremity skills. If the core is weak then the task involving hand eye coordination is also affected [5].

Materials and Methods

Hundred subjects were taken including both males and female college students from Amity university, Noida. All students taken were non-athletes, following sedentary lifestyle ranging within the age of 18-25 years [6].

Inclusion criteria:

• Subject with age between 18-25 years.
• Both gender male and females.
• Both right and left hand dominant.
• College going students.

Exclusion criteria:

• Recent upper limb fractures.
• Conditions affecting upper limb joints like rheumatoid arthritis.
• Brachial plexus injury.
• Going to gym for more than 6 months.
• Lower back pathologies.
• Posture deficit like scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis.
• Trained athletes.

Parameters:

• Core muscle endurance.
• Core muscle strength.
• Handwriting speed.

Tools:

• McGill trunk endurance test in seconds.
• Double leg lowering test in degrees.
• Handwriting speed test in letters per minute.

First all the subjects were shortlisted by exclusion criteria. The subjects completed the demographic sheet, were informed of the testing protocol and signed the informed consent. The core strength of the subject was measured starting with Mcgill trunk endurance test and double leg lowering test. Then the handwriting speed was measured using handwriting speed test [7].

Double leg lowering test: The subject lies in supine with their hips flexed to 90^* and blood pressure cuff is placed under L4-L5 region. Cuff is inflated till 40 mmhg. Then the subject is told to lower his legs where there is lowering of pressure the angle of hip is noted [8].

McGill’s trunk muscle endurance test: Three tests are performed under this flexion endurance test, lateral bridge and extension endurance test. Lateral bridge subject performs side plank time is noted. Flexor endurance test-the subject sits at 60^* with both hips and knees at 90^* arms are folded across the chest. Time is noted till the position is maintained. Extensor endurance test-the subject lies in prone over the edge of couch. Arms are placed across the chest. Time is noted till the position is maintained [9].

Measuring handwriting speed: The test was started with subject sitting on chair with hip and knees at 90 degrees with table placed at proper level. The subject was given a sentence ‘The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog’ and was asked to copy this sentence on a A4 size sheet in 3 minutes. At the end the number of letters were counted and writing speed was calculated [10].

Results

The components analyzed were handwriting speed and core endurance of left lateral muscle group. The data shows a moderate positive correlation between the two and a significant p value. Thus more will be the endurance more will be the writing speed (Tables 1 and 2) [11].

Variables
Total strength	100
Gender
Male	25
Female	75

Table 1: Demographic detail.

Mean handwriting speed	Mean lateral bridge left	SD	Pearson correlation^®	P-value
108.27	35.42	40.96	0.627	0.000015^*