The Clinical Study of Grip and Pinch Strength in Normal Korean Adult

Lee, Kwang Suk; Woo, Kyung Jo; Shim, Jae Hak; Lee, Gyou Hyouk

Abstract

Reliable and valid evaluation of hand strength is of paramount importance in determining the effectiveness of various normative data area needed to interpret evaluation data, to set realistic treatment goals and to assess a patient's ability to return to employment. The primary purpose of this study was to establish normal value of grip and pinch strength for men women in normal Korean adult. A Jamar dynamometer(Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer. PC 5030, USA) was used to measure grip strength and Jamar pinch gauge(Hydraulic Pinch Gauge, PC 5030HPG, USA)was used to measure tip, key and palmar pinch. Two hundreds forty eight male and two hundreds thiry one female adults, aged 20 to 74 years were tested for using standardized positioning with their shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated, elbow flexed at 90ã€‚ and the forearm and wrist in neutral position. Right and left hand data were stratified into age groups for both sexes. This stratification provides a means of comparing the scores of individuals to that of normal subjects of the same aged and sex. The following results were obtained; 1. The average grip strength of the dominant hand was highest(43.9±7.3kg)in 3rd decade male group. 2. The average tip pinch strength of the dominant hand was highest in 4th decade(7.3±3.5kg)and 5th decade (7.3±2.4kg) male group. 3. The average key pinch strength of the dominant hand was highest in 5th decade(8.3±2.3 kg)male group. 4. The average palmar pinch strength of the dominant hand was highest in 4th decade(9.6±3.3 kg)male group. 5. A high correlation was seen between grip strength and age, but a low correlation between pinch strength and age. 6. The average grip strength of dominant hand was 5.6% higher than that of nondominant hand in men, and 6.5% higher in women. 7. In pinch strength, palmer pinch strength was highest among the three groups of pinch strength, then key pinch and tip pinch strength in order. 8. The mean scores of the dominant hand were larger than that of the nondominant hand on all hand strength.