Investigation of grip strength by various body postures and gender in Korean adults

Abstract

Grip strength is an objective measure of a person's hand functionality and upper limb strength. In Asia, there is a lack of normative data for grip strength among the population, especially in South Korea. The objective of this study was to evaluate the grip strength in various body postures and gender in the adult South Korean population. A total of 100 male and 64 female subjects participated in this study. Their grip strengths were measured using a standard adjustable Jamar handle dynamometer. The results showed that their grip strength differed statistically by gender, handedness, and posture. Their gender and right-hand length were the most significant predictors of their grip strength. The Asian population, including South Korea, showed a lower grip strength than the European and American populations in previous studies. The present study showed that the maximal isometric grip strength is affected by gender, handedness, posture, and population. Thus, gender-, population-, and posture-specific grip strength data are essential for clinical and industrial applications.