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

Bruce Bradtmiller,Fereshteh Taheri,Shahram Vosoughi,Sajjad Rostamzadeh,Mahnaz Saremi,Ali Asghar Farshad,Leila Janani

doi:10.1186/s12887-020-02468-0

Abstract

BackgroundThe 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.MethodsFour 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.ResultsNo 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.ConclusionsThese results may be used by health professionals in clinical settings as well as by designers to create ergonomic hand tools.

Highlights

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
The sample consisted of 2637 healthy children and adolescents students-aged 7–18 years including 1391 (52.7%) boys and 1246 (47.3%) girls
Gender, and handedness on hand strengths We identified a linear increase in handgrip and pinch strengths of both hands associated with advancing age in boys and girls, in agreement with previous studies [47, 48]

Summary

Introduction

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. Handgrip strength and pinch strength (PS) are determinative for performing prehensile and precision hand functions and daily muscular activities through the use of exquisitely arranged power and precision muscles, which acting through the extensor hood, work in synergistic precision to manipulate the digits [9, 10]. Considered as the most reliable clinical tests for measuring maximum isometric strength of hand-forearm muscles, the values of handgrip and pinch strengths determine the efficacy of different treatment strategies [3, 11]. These measures are often used as a functional index for nutritional status, insulin sensitivity, overall function of the upper limb, and cardio metabolic health [12, 13]

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