The Impact of Smartphone Usage Duration on the Grip Strength and Manual Dexterity of Firefighter Candidates

Year 2024, , 492 - 511, 28.09.2024

Mustafa Karataş

https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.1509079

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of smartphone usage duration on the grip strength and hand dexterity of firefighter candidates. Participants' smartphone usage duration, grip strength, and manual dexterity measurements were evaluated. A total of 106 firefighter candidates volunteered for the study. Of the participants, 26.4% were female and 73.6% were male. Participants' ages were determined as follows: females, 20 ± 1.38 years; males, 20.1 ± 1.4 years; heights: females, 1.67 ± 0.05 m; males, 1.77 ± 0.05 m; weights: females, 60.29 ± 8.13 kg; males, 74.9 ± 11.9 kg; grip strengths: females, 30.36 ± 4.94 kg; males, 48.34 ± 7.4 kg; manual dexterity: females, 16.41 ± 1.25 sec; males, 16.34 ± 1.48 sec; and smartphone usage hours per week: females, 413.68 ± 97.14 min; males, 385 ± 81.52 min.

SPSS version 23 software was used for data analysis. Data showing normal distribution were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses. A significant negative correlation was found between smartphone usage duration and grip strength in females (r = -0.592, p = 0.001) and similarly in males (r = -0.264, p < 0.02). However, no significant relationship was found between manual dexterity and smartphone usage duration. Prolonged smartphone use adversely affects grip strength in both female and male firefighter candidates, without a significant effect on manual dexterity. These findings indicate the necessity of restricting smartphone use during the training processes of firefighter candidates. Additionally, females were identified to have a disadvantage in grip strength compared to males. It is recommended that these differences be taken into account in the training and evaluation programs for firefighter candidates.

Keywords

Firefighter Candidates, Smartphone Usage Duration, Grip Strength, Manual Dexterity

Akıllı Telefon Kullanım Süresinin İtfaiyeci Adaylarının Kavrama Kuvveti ve El Becerisi Üzerindeki Etkisi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, itfaiyeci adaylarının akıllı telefon kullanım süresinin kavrama kuvveti ve el becerisi üzerindeki etkilerini incelemiştir. Katılımcıların telefon kullanım süresi, kavrama kuvveti ve el becerisi ölçümleri değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırmaya 106 itfaiyeci adayı gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Çalışmaya katılanların %26,4'ü kadın, %73,6'sı erkektir. Katılımcıların yaş (kadınlarda 20±1,38 yıl erkeklerde 20,1±1,4 yıl), boy (kadınlarda 1,67±0,05 m erkeklerde 1,77±0,05 m), kilo (kadınlarda 60,29±8,13 kg erkeklerde 74,9±11,9 kg), kavrama kuvveti (kadınlarda 30,36±4,94 kg erkeklerde 48,34±7,4 kg), el becerisi (kadınlarda 16,41±1,25 sn erkeklerde 16,34±1,48 sn) ve telefon kullanım süreleri (kadınlarda 413,68±97,14 dk/hafta erkeklerde 385±81,52 dk/hafta) tespit edilmiştir. Elde edilen verilerin analizinde SPSS 23 paket programı kullanılmıştır. Normal dağılım gösteren veriler, korelasyon ve regresyon analizleri ile incelenmiştir. Kadınlarda telefon kullanım süresi ile kavrama kuvveti arasında negatif ve anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur (r=-0,592, p=0,001). Erkeklerde de benzer bir ilişki saptanmıştır (r=-0,264, p<0,02). Ancak, el becerisi ile telefon kullanım süresi arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmamıştır. Uzun süreli akıllı telefon kullanımı hem kadın hem de erkek itfaiyeci adaylarında kavrama kuvvetini olumsuz etkilemektedir. El becerisi üzerinde ise anlamlı bir etkisi bulunmamıştır. Bu bulgular, itfaiyeci adaylarının eğitim süreçlerinde telefon kullanımının sınırlandırılması gerektiğini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, kadınların kavrama kuvveti üzerinde erkeklere kıyasla dezavantajlı olduğu belirlenmiştir. İtfaiyeci adaylarının eğitim ve değerlendirme programlarında bu farklılıkların dikkate alınması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

İtfaiyeci Adayları, Telefon Kullanım Süresi, Kavrama Kuvveti, El Becerisi

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