Analysis of Grip and Pinch Strength in Korean People

Soo-Hong Han; Ki-Shik Nam; Tae-Keun Ahn; Jin-Myong Dan

doi:10.4055/jkoa.2009.44.2.219

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Han, Nam, Ahn, and Dan: Analysis of Grip and Pinch Strength in Korean People

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association

Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association 2009; 44(2): 219-225.

Published online: 30 April 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2009.44.2.219

Analysis of Grip and Pinch Strength in Korean People

Soo-Hong Han, M.D., Ki-Shik Nam, M.D., Tae-Keun Ahn, M.D., Jin-Myong Dan, M.D.^*

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bundang CHA Hospital, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.

^*Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gumi CHA Hospital, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, Gumi, Korea.

Address reprint requests to Jin-Myong Dan, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gumi CHA Hospital, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, 855, Hyeonggok-dong, Gumi 730-040, Korea. Tel: +82.31-780-5289, Fax: +82.31-708-3578, hsoohong@hanmail.net

Abstract

Purpose

We wanted to investigate the grip and pinch strength of hands and establish the clinical normative data for Korean people.

Materials and Methods

A sample of 234 Korean males and 281 Korean females (age: 10 to 84) were tested. Grip strength and pinch strength were tested twice with 5 minute interval between tests.

Results

Generally, hand strength peaked at 30 to 39 of age for both males and females. The average grip strength was 48.8 kg for males and 28.23 kg for females and they were 11% stronger than 12 years before in both groups. Tip pinch strength peaked in the forties, but key pinch and tripod pinch peaked in the thirties. All the peak hand strength was obtained in the 30 to 39 age group of females. Among the pinch strengths, key pinch was the strongest. For the right-handed people, the grip and pinch strengths of the right hand were stronger than those of the left hand. However, for the left-handed people, the left hand was stronger than the right hand only for the tripod pinch (p<0.005).

Conclusion

The hand strength of Koreans peaked in the 30 to 39 age group. Key pinch was the strongest among the three pinch strengths. Right-handed people have a stronger right hand than the left hand, but the left-handed people have almost the same hand strength in both hands, except for the tripod pinch.

Keywords: Normal Korean, Hand strength, Grip strength, Pinch strength, Right handed, Left handed

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

Tool for measurement of grip strength. Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer (5030J).

Fig. 2

Tool for measurement of pinch power. Jamar Pinch Gauge (PG 60).

Fig. 3

Evaluation of Pinch Strength. (A) Tip pinch checked the power between the tip of thumb and index finger. (B) Key Pinch checked the power between pulp of thumb and the radial aspect of middle phalanx of index finger. (C) Tripod Pinch checked between the pulp thumb and the volar aspect of index-middle finger.

Fig. 4

Grip strength was evaluated with shoulder adduction, elbow 90 degree flection and neutrally rotated forearm.

Table 1

Number of Subjects by Age Distribution

Table 2

Hand Strength of Men (kg)

Table 3

Hand Strength of Women (kg)

Table 4

Hand Strength in the Right Handed (kg)

Table 5

Hand Strength in the Left Handed (kg)

Table 6

Correlation Coefficient between Hand Strength

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