Comparison the effects of powerball training on hand grip strength, pinch grip strength and proprioception among dentists

The aim of the study.is to investigate the effects of the Powerball training program with six weeks on hand grip strength, pinch grip strength and proprioception among dentists. The study included 30 dentists (14F&16M; 31.23±5.10 years) who work at Yeditepe University Dental Hospital and 30 dental students (16F&14M; 22.67±1.42 years) studying in fourth and fifth classes at Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey. This study was carried out between December, 2016 and February, 2017. The sosciodemographic features of participants were recorded by using a structured questionnaire. The hand grip strength of the participants was measured by using a Jamar Hand Dynamometer (Baseline.) and pinch strength measurements were evaluated with Pinch gauge (Baseline) for followed by lateral key, tip (2-point) pinch, and palmar (C3-point pad) pinch. The participants' wrist vibration sense was measured by using 128 Hz diapason. Active Joint Position Sense (JPS) included in all axes of movement of the wrist (flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation) was assessed by using the goniometric platform. Pain of the participants was assessed.by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the disability level was assessed by Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire. Powerball training was carried out for six weeks for both right and left hands by the participants (3times/wk. with 5 min.). The mostly important results of our study revealed that all measurements were improved through Powerball training program with six weeks in both groups (p<0.05). There were not any significantly differences in all parameters except DASH and JPS for flexion comparing two groups. Disability/symptom scores of DASH showed greater improvement in dental students (p<0.05). The other result indicated that our program led more effectiveness on JPS for flexion of left hand among dentists (Table 4.15) (p<0.05). Consistent with hypothesis, we found that Powerball training is effective on hand grip strength, pinch grip.strength.and.proprioception.among.dentists. Key Words: dentists, dental students, MSD, WMSD, proprioception, hand grip strength, pinch grip strength