An investigation of hand dominance, average versus maximum grip strength, body mass index and ages as determinants for hand evaluation

Abstract

Measurement of grip strength is an important component in hand evaluation. It assesses the patient's initial limitations and provides a quick reassessment of patient's progress throughout the treatment. This investigation was conducted to examine the determinants of hand dominance of average versus maximum grip strength, body mass index (BMI) and age for hand evaluation. Subjects were 877 apparently healthy male adult volunteers from the Inonu University - students and personnel; average age 21.14±2.09 (19-40 years). A good correlation was found between the BMI hand strength measures. Grip strength was measured instrumentally. The rule "dominant hand (DH) is approximately 10% stronger than the non-dominant hand (NDH)" was found to be valid for left handed persons only (7%) otherwise these measures should be considered equivalent in both hands. The difference between maximum and average of three consecutive measurement of grip strength was found significant for both hands. As the significant difference was found between RGSmax (Maximum Grip Strength of Right Hand) and RGSav (Average Grip Strength of Right Hand); LGSmax (Maximum Grip Strength of Left Hand)/LGSav (Average Grip Strength of Left Hand) measures for RDH. RGSmax and LGSmax where correlated only for LDH. Therefore, average of three consecutive measurement of grip strength is more consistent for standard hand evaluation. © 2005 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.