Trends in Hand Grip Strength in Some Adult Male Zimbabweans

Abstract

The Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, of the Ministry of Labour, Manpower Planning and Social Welfare in Zimbabwe, has consistently reported an appreciable number of occupational injuries involving the hand. In the central hospitals, routine hand assessment includes range of movement, sensory and muscle strength tests, as well as hand grip strength tests. Differences had been observed in the hand grip measurements obtained when compared with norms developed by Kellor et al (1971). The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the trend in the grip strength of a sample of adult male Zimbabweans. Hand grip strength measures for the right and left hands of 204 male Zimbabweans, aged 18–56 years, were taken using a Jamar® dynamometer. The relationship between these grip strength measures and age, height, weight and body mass index was assessed. Grip strength percentage difference between dominant and nondomlnant hands did not obey the 10% rule, which assumes that the dominant hand can be up to 10% stronger than the nondominant hand. Grip strength was negatively related to age but positively related to body weight and height. The need for additional studies to establish normative data for grip strength measurements for use in the clinical situation is Indicated.