Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (50): 9452-.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.50.035

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Test of grip and pinch strengths of 111 healthy university students in Fujian Province

Jiang Zheng1, Wang Shi-zhong1, Liao Jun2, Liu Hao-yang1, Li Xiang1   

  1. 1 College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Fuzhou  350003, Fujian Province, China; 2 College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Fuzhou  350108, Fujian Province, China
  • Online:2010-12-10 Published:2010-12-10
  • Contact: Wang Shi-zhong, Doctor, Professor, Chief physician, Doctoral supervisor, College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Fuzhou 350003, Fujian Province, China wsj1963@tom.com
  • About author:Jiang Zheng☆, Doctor, Lecturer, College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Fuzhou 350003, Fujian Province, China jianzhen999@hotmail.com
  • Supported by:

    the Youth Foundation of Fujian Provincial Natural Science, No. 2009J05073*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The norms of hand grip and pinch strength can provide an important reference for the assessment and treatment on hand dysfunction, a large sample normative data of hand grip and pinch strength is still not available in China.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the grip and pinch strengths of university students in order to establish the relationship among grip strength, pinch strength and anthropometric factors.
METHODS: In total 111 sophomores (65 males and 46 females) from the Fujian Traditional Chinese Medicine University were recruited. E-link electric dynamometer was used to measure grip strength and E-link electric pinch gauge to measure key, palmar, and tip pinch with a standardized position. All anthropometric factors such as age, gender, height, weight, forearm length, forearm circumference, hand width, hand length, as well as hand thickness were recorded. The relative correlations were analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The grip and all pinch strength of dominant hands for both genders were greater than the nondominant hands (within 10% difference). The grip and all pinch strength of the males were higher than those of the females. The grip and all pinch strength of Chinese students for both genders were lower than American students’, especially for the males. Grip-weight ratio was 74% in the males and 58% in the females. Three pinch-grip ratios were lower than 30% mentioned in the textbooks: the males (14.8-21.6%), the females (16.9-24.3%). A strong correlation of the mean in grip and pinch strength was found between the right and the left hand (r=0.680-0.872, P < 0.001). A moderate correlation was showed between grip and pinch strength of three types (r=0.390-0.720, P < 0.01). The tip pinch strength had no correlation with any anthropometric factors. No correlation has been found among the grip, key pinch, palmar pinch strength, age, and forearm length. Height had correlation with grip strength in male students. The thickness of thenar eminence was correlated with grip, key pinch, palmar pinch in male students. The grip and pinch strength were moderately correlated with major anthropometric factors such as weight, forearm circumference, hand width, hand length. Hand width was proved to be a major predictor of grip strength.

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