Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Concurrent activation potentiation (CAP) is a phenomenon of activation of one muscle area leading to activation of other body areas such as teeth clenching enhances the activity of neck and core stability muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hand grip activation on the activation of core stability muscles and to determine the concurrent activation potentiation between hand grip strength and core stability muscles in medical university students. METHODOLOGY: This study entails a cross-sectional research design that was been conducted at the Institute of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi from January 2024 to March 2024. A total of 196 medical university students were recruited for the study. The data was collected under three conditions that is assessment of handgrip strength of dominant hand, assessment of core stability endurance and assessment of core stability with handgrip. Hand dynamometer and Pressure Biofeedback Unit was used to collect the data. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The results revealed limited concurrent activation potentiation between handgrip and core stability endurance (mean Pressure Biofeedback Unit score 65.22 without hand grip and 65.28 with hand grip). Furthermore, a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between hand grip strength and concurrent core stability muscle endurance was found (r = 0.591), indicating a moderate and positive relationship. CONCLUSION: The correlation between concurrent activation potentiation of hand grip strength and core stability muscle endurance is moderate and positive. Further research is required to clarify the correlation between concurrent activation potentiation of handgrip strength and core stability muscle endurance in young adults.