Analysis of hand-forearm anthropometric components in assessing handgrip and pinch strengths of school-aged children and adolescents: a partial least squares (PLS) approach

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of hand-forearm anthropometric dimensions on handgrip and pinch strengths among 7–18 years children and adolescents and to investigate the extent to which these variables can be used to predict hand strength. Methods Four types of hand strengths including handgrip, tip to tip, key, and three-jaw chuck pinches were measured in 2637 healthy children and adolescents (1391 boys and 1246 girls) aged 7–18 years using standard adjustable Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer and pinch gauge. A set of 17 hand-forearm anthropometric dimensions were also measured with an accurate digital caliper and tape measure. Results No significant differences were found between the hand strengths of boys and girls up to the age of 10 years. Gender related differences in handgrip and pinches were observed from the age of 11 years onwards, with boys always being stronger. The dominant hand was stronger than the non-dominant hand (8% for handgrip and by about 10% for all three types of pinches). The strongest correlations were found between the hand length and hand strengths (r > 0.83 for handgrip and three all pinches; p < 0.001, 2-tailed). Based on the partial least squares (PLS) analysis, 8 out of 17 anthropometric indices including hand length, hand circumference, thumb length, index finger length, middle finger length, and forearm length had considerable loadings in the PLS analysis, which together accounted for 46% of the total variance. Conclusions These results may be used by health professionals in clinical settings as well as by designers to create ergonomic hand tools.

Isometric strength of upper limb muscles in youth using hand-held and hand-grip dynamometry

“…The order of the muscles tested, the standardized positions, and hand-held dynamometer placement for each muscle group were based on previous reports and are described in Table 1 ( Daloia et al, 2018 ; Escobar et al, 2017 ; Hébert et al, 2011 , 2015 ). The maximum isometric grip strength of the extrinsic and intrinsic hand muscles was assessed with HGD using a calibrated hand-grip dynamometer (Jamar 5030J1, Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA) according to the recommendation of the American Society of Hand Therapists widely used in the scientific literature ( Rauch et al, 2002 ; Rostamzadeh et al, 2021 ). The handle was adjusted so that the line of the subject’s proximal interphalangeal joints rested exactly on top of the adjustable handle.…”

“…The handle was adjusted so that the line of the subject’s proximal interphalangeal joints rested exactly on top of the adjustable handle. Participants were seated with their arms by their sides, with elbows flexed 90° (without touching the trunk), forearms in a neutral position, and the wrists held between 0°–30° dorsiflexion and between 0°–15° ulnar deviation ( Rauch et al, 2002 ; Rostamzadeh et al, 2021 ).…”

Hand grip strength should be normalized by weight not height for eliminating the influence of individual differences: Findings from a cross-sectional study of 1,511 healthy undergraduates

“…In contrast, the correlation analysis results are contradictory in studies that included healthy children and adolescents (22-24, 32, 34), elderly Malaysians (20), hospitalized Portuguese patients (3), healthy Caucasian adults (25-28), healthy Indian collegiate population (33) and healthy Brazilian adults (21). Some studies reported that the correlation coefficient between HGS and height is larger than that between HGS and weight (3,20,22,(25)(26)(27)(28)34). While other studies reported that the correlation coefficient is smaller (12, 29-31) or similar (10,32,33).…”

“…Previous studies have shown contradictory results on the correlation coefficient between HGS and height and weight. Some studies reported that the correlation coefficient between HGS and height is larger than that between HGS and weight (3,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). In other studies, the correlation coefficient between HGS and height is, on the contrary, smaller than that between HGS and weight (12, [29][30][31].…”

Pinch Endurance in Elderly People

“…Pinch strength has been measured in a variety of ways from 3 to 10 seconds [16,17]. Handgrip strength has been measured in 3 to 5 seconds, and it has been reported that the maximum value can be measured within 5 seconds [12].…”