A study of grip strength among 20–49 year old British adults and comparison to existing norms.

Abstract

Introduction Hand grip strength is frequently assessed to evaluate interventions or guide treatment. When using calibrated equipment in a standardised method hand held dynamometry is a reliable measure for hand grip strength and can be compared to normative data. However, existing British grip strength normative data was published 20 years ago. Methods A non-experimental quantitative study was carried out to establish if existing UK hand grip norms and consolidated multinational norms were representative of today’s 20-49 year old British adults population. The methodology used was modelled on a previous British study using the mean Jamar dynamometer maximal grip strengths and reported within age bands. Results One hundred and thirty-five healthy British citizens of various ethnicities between 20-49 years were recruited. Grip strength decreased in comparison to the existing British normative data for both males and females in all age bands. A significant difference exists (p<.05) for male right hand aged 40-44 years and right and left hands for women 25-29 years and 45-49 years. Significant differences was also noted in 5 and 8 of the 12 multinational means for men and women respectively. Discussion Due to small sample size, the ability of this study to demonstrate a significant difference in mean grip strength to the earlier British norms is low. However, a small increase in sample size may have resulted in further significant differences with both studies. Thus, suggesting a larger study taking into consideration ethnicity is recommended to ensure valid and reliable grip strength norms are used in practice.