Comparative evaluation of grip and pinch strength in an Asian and European population

Abstract

Introduction Evaluation of grip and pinch strengths of the hand is an effective way of measuring hand function. There is no study available on grip strength (GS) in young healthy Asian populations. We deal with a large number of Asian patients in Yorkshire. This study was carried out to gather data on the grip and pinch strengths in adult Asians and to compare the results with that in Europeans. Methods A Jamar dynamometer (Asimow Engineering®) and Pinch Gauge (B & L Engineering®) were used for measuring the grip and pinch strengths, respectively, in pounds. American Society of Hand Therapist's recommendations for standard hand positioning for the tests were followed. Subjects were healthy adults divided into five age groups of 10-year intervals. The height and weight of all subjects were also recorded. Results There were 105 Asians and 103 Europeans. The mean GS in Asians were 92.8 lbs (right) and 89.3 lbs (left) in men and 53 lbs (right) and 51.3 lbs (left) in women, respectively. The key pinch strength and tip pinch strength were 22 and 15.3 lbs in men and 15 and 10.3 lbs in women, respectively. The GS was higher in Europeans than in Asians. However, the pinch strength was higher only in European women and not in both sexes. GS has a direct relationship with height and weight but not with body mass index. Conclusions This study shows that the normal values for grip and pinch strengths are lower for Asian as compared with European groups. The published data for Europeans should not be used as the reference standard for Asian populations.