Effect of Smartphone Usage on Neck Muscle Endurance, Hand Grip and Pinch Strength among Healthy College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Adel Alshahrani, Mohamed Samy Abdrabo, Sobhy M. Aly, Mastour Saeed Alshahrani, Raee S. Alqhtani, Faisal Asiri and Irshad Ahmad
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Adel Alshahrani: Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences-Physiotherapy Program, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 55461, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Samy Abdrabo: Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences-Physiotherapy Program, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 55461, Saudi Arabia
Sobhy M. Aly: Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences-Physiotherapy Program, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 55461, Saudi Arabia
Mastour Saeed Alshahrani: Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
Raee S. Alqhtani: Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences-Physiotherapy Program, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 55461, Saudi Arabia
Faisal Asiri: Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
Irshad Ahmad: Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-8

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in global smartphone usage driven by different purposes. This study aimed to explore the effect of smartphone usage on neck muscle (flexors and extensors) endurance, hand grip, and pinch strength among young, healthy college students. In total, 40 male students were recruited for this study; 20 of them belonged to the smartphone-addicted group, while the other 20 were in the non-addicted group based on their smartphone addiction scale—short version (SAS-SV) scores (the threshold for determining smartphone addiction: 31/60). Neck flexor endurance time, the ability to perform a neck extensor muscle endurance test, and hand and pinch grip strength were assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to assess between-group differences in the mean values of neck flexor endurance time, hand grip, and pinch grip. A significant group effect (Wilks’ lambda = 0.51, F (5,34) = 6.34, p = 0.001, partial eta squared = 0.48) was found. A decrease in neck flexor endurance time was observed in the smartphone-addicted group compared with that of the non-addicted group ( p < 0.001). However, there was no notable difference in the neck extensor muscle endurance test or in hand grip and pinch grip strength of both hands between groups ( p > 0.05). Using a smartphone for a prolonged time might affect neck flexor muscle endurance; however, more research is needed to explore the long-term effects of using smartphones on neck muscle endurance and hand/pinch grip strength and the risk of developing upper limb neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.

Keywords: smartphone addiction; hand grip; neck muscle endurance; neck flexors; neck extensors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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