Background: SARS- CoV infection not only affected respiratory, gastrointestinal system but also musculoskeletal and neurological systems during COVID-19 pandemic. Handgrip muscle strength is the maximum force developed during maximal voluntary contraction. Not much attention has been given to assess the correlation of handgrip strength and cognitive impairment in younger generation. As neurological manifestation includes cognitive impairment in COVID 19 patients, so it was imperative to find this correlation in young adults. Aim and Objective: Aim of the study was to assess the correlation of cognitive impairment if present, with maximal hand grip strength among young adult population during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted on 150 Medical undergraduate students who represent young adults in 18–24 years age group in North India. The Mini-Mental State Examination & the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used to measure and track cognitive decline. The grip strength of dominant hand was measured thrice at an interval of 1 min. Mean of these three readings was taken as maximal isometric tension (Tmax) for each participant. Results: MoCA and the MMSE scores in the present study shows an alarming result of mild cognitive impairment in 41% of the participants. It was also noted that handgrip strength in both male and female students were decreased. Conclusion: The present study suggests that there should be awareness of and sensitivity to the student’s physical as well as mental health especially during the pandemic and appropriate management should be carried out.

COVID-19 pandemic, Dynamometer; Handgrip Muscle Strength, Cognitive impairment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment