Normative values of handgrip and pinch strengths in healthy female college students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Handgrip strength (HGS) and pinch strengths (PS) are the common measures to evaluate hand function and predict general health. Normative values of HGS, PS, and prediction equations of HGS for healthy young adult women have not been reported yet in Saudi Arabia. The aims of the study were to determine the HGS and PS normative values and develop the prediction equations for the established HGS in a sample of healthy female college students, aged 19–25 years. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 139 healthy female college students were recruited randomly from King Saud University (KSU). Both HGS and PS in kilograms were measured using a Jamar hand dynamometer and pinch gauge respectively with standard testing protocol and instructions. Results HGS significantly increased with progress in age, while there was no significant effect of age on PS. HGS and PS of the dominant hand were statistically greater than those of the nondominant hand (P < 0.05) in most ages. There were significant correlations between dominant HGS, age (r = 0.7, P < 0.001), palmar width (r = 0.74, P < 0.001), and level of physical activity (r = 0.60, P < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that palmar width and age were the predictors of dominant HGS and accounted for 55% and 14% of the variation, respectively. Conclusions Normative values can be used as a clinical reference in the evaluation of hand function in the rehabilitation process with consideration of age and palmar width for a particular population.

Keywords

• Handgrip and pinch strength
• Dominant
• Norms
• Prediction equation