Grip Strength Among Indian Nursing Students and Staff: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to measure grip strength along with correlates, to inform recommendations to protect students entering the nursing workforce and increase career longevity, as well as health, among working nurses. Participants and Methods: A convenience sample of nursing staff and students (18 to 59 years) at a large teaching hospital (N = 316) participated in a cross-sectional study. A brief survey included sociodemographic questions, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Anthropometric measures included height, weight, waist circumference, and hand grip strength using a Jamar digital dynamometer. Results: Only 22.5% of the participants met Indian normative grip strength parameters by age and gender, and on average had a normal body mass index (M = 22.31, SD 4.15). Grip strength was significantly associated with BMI and waist circumference, which explained 76% of the variance in grip strength. Conclusion: This study provides a baseline measurement of grip strength among Indian nursing staff and students, and documents grip strength among young adults (18-20 years of age) who were not included in published normative grip strength data among healthy Indian participants. Data from the current study demonstrates that very few participants met normative grip strength, thus indicating the need for strengthening. Variance in grip strength was largely explained by waist circumference, pointing to the importance of nutrition. Interventions are needed to improve physical performance of nursing duties and prevent on-the-job injuries.