Age-related changes in hand grip strength among rural and urban Haryanvi Jat females

Normative Data of Grip Strength and Pinch Strength in the Indian Population

Background  There is no normative study of transregional grip strength data available from India. Hence, a multicenter study is designed to obtain reference value. Materials and Methods  This is a prospective observational study conducted as a part of the Indian normative data project of the Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand. The study included three participating centers: one from the northern part and two from the southern part. Certified calibrated Jamar dynamometer and Jamar pinch gauge were used to measure the grip strength, key pinch strength, tip pinch strength, and tripod pinch strength as per the guidelines of the American Society of Hand Therapists. Results  A total of 1,019 volunteers in the age group of 18 to 60 years were studied. The mean grip strength in males and females was 38.18 and 24.06 kg, respectively. The mean key pinch strength was 8.52 kg in males and 5.97 kg in females. The mean tip pinch strength was 4.86 kg in males and 3.59 kg in females. The mean tripod pinch strength was 5.41 kg in males and 4.16 kg in females. Conclusions  All four strengths were lower in value when compared with American and other populations. The men had more strength than women. There was no relation to hand dominance. There was a correlation for age and height but no correlation with body mass index (BMI).

Population-specific equations of age-related maximum handgrip force: a comprehensive review

Background

The measurement of handgrip force responses is important in many aspects, for example: to complement neurological assessments, to investigate the contribution of muscle mass in predicting functional outcomes, in setting realistic treatment goals, evaluating rehabilitation strategies. Normative data about handgrip force can assist the therapist in interpreting a patient's results compared with healthy individuals of the same age and gender and can serve as key decision criteria. In this context, establishing normative values of handgrip strength is crucial. Hence, the aim of the this study is to develop a tool that could be used both in rehabilitation and in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This tool takes the form of population-specific predictive equations, which express maximum handgrip force as a function of age.

Methodology

In order to collect data from studies measuring maximum handgrip force, three databases were searched. The search yielded 5,058 articles. Upon the removal of duplicates, the screening of abstracts and the full-text review of potentially relevant articles, 143 publications which focussed on experimental studies on various age groups were considered as fulfilling the eligibility criteria. A comprehensive literature review produced 1,276 mean values of maximum handgrip force.

Results

A meta-analysis resulted in gender- and world region-specific (general population, USA, Europe and Asia) equations expressing maximum force as a function of age. The equations showed quantitative differences and trends in maximum handgrip force among age, gender and national groups. They also showed that values of maximum handgrip force are about 40% higher for males than for females and that age-induced decrease in force differs between males and females, with a proved 35% difference between the ages of 35 and 75. The difference was lowest for the 60-64 year olds and highest for the 18-25 year-olds. The equations also showed that differences due to region are smaller than those due to age or gender.

Conclusions

The equations that were developed for this study can be beneficial in setting population-specific thresholds for rehabilitation programmes and workstation exposure. They can also contribute to the modification of commonly used methods for assessing musculoskeletal load and work-related risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders by scaling their limit values.

Rural-urban health differences among aging adults in India

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the rural-urban health differences among aging adults in India.

Methods

The national cross-sectional data of 67,489 individuals (≥45 years) in 2017-2018 from 35 states and union territories of India (excluding Sikkim) in 2017-2018 were analysed. Various sociodemographic data, well-being indicators, lifestyle factors and physical conditions were assessed by face-to-face interviews and physical measurement. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was utilized to assess the predictors between residence status (rural dweller, urban migrant, and urban dweller) and various health indicator outcomes.

Results

Majority (70.4 %) of the participants lived in rural areas, 10.3 % were urban migrants and 19.3 % urban dwellers. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, urban migrants and urban dwellers had a higher self-rated health status, cognitive functioning, physical inactivity, overweight or obesity and abdominal obesity than rural dwellers, while urban migrants and/or urban dwellers had lower functional disability, insomnia symptoms, current smokeless tobacco use, current smoking, heavy episodic drinking and underweight than rural dwellers. Furthermore, urban migrants and/or urban dwellers had higher odds of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol than rural dwellers, while urban migrants and/or urban dwellers had lower odds of persistent headaches, major injury, recurrent fall, physical pain, periodontal disease, vision impairment, and gastrointestinal problems than rural dwellers.

Conclusion

Among 30 health indicators assessed, 16 had an urban migrant and/or urban dweller advantage, 8 had urban migrant and/or urban dweller penalty, and 6 did not differ between rural-urban groups. Public health promotion and health care should address differing health care needs of rural and urban middle-aged and older adults.

Differential Relationship of Grip Strength with Body Composition and Lifestyle Factors Between Indian Urban and Rural Boys and Girls

OBJECTIVES

To assess grip strength and gender differences in grip strength in 9-18-y-old urban and rural Indian children, to study association of grip strength with body composition, and assess determinants of grip strength.

METHODS

This was part of a multicenter, cross-sectional, school-based study (n = 1978, mean age 13.3 ± 2.2 y) from three urban and rural states. Anthropometry, body composition, dietary intake, physical activity, sunlight exposure, and grip strength (in kg) were measured.

RESULTS

Mean grip strength increased with age but plateaued in girls after 12 y and was higher in boys (19.6 ± 9.2) than girls (14.3 ± 5.3) (p < 0.05). Mean grip strength was higher in urban (21.05 ± 9.7) than in rural boys (17.8 ± 8.2) (p < 0.05), and comparable in urban (14.9 ± 5.2) and rural girls (13.8 ± 5.5). Grip strength in girls remained lower than boys after adjusting for muscle mass. Difference between boys and girls reduced after body size [body mass index (BMI)] correction, but remained low in girls, plateauing after 15 y. Muscle mass and age were significant determinants of grip strength in all children. On addition of lifestyle factors to the model, grip strength was explained to varied degrees in the children.

CONCLUSION

In boys, nutrition through body size and composition was largely responsible for the differences in grip strength, and in girls, additionally, sociocultural factors also possibly impacted grip strength.

Normative data for three physical frailty parameters in an aging, rural Indian population

Introduction

Physical frailty is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. Since physical characteristics markedly vary with different populations, population-specific norms for physical frailty parameters are necessary. Such norms are lacking for the Indian population, especially for older, rural Indians. We aimed to develop normative values for three quantitative, frailty parameters-handgrip strength, "Timed Up-and-Go" (TUG) test time, and physical activity in an aging, rural Indian population.

Methods

The study sample is from an ongoing, prospective, cohort (Srinivaspura NeuoSenescence and COGnition, SANSCOG) comprised of rural, community-dwelling, cognitively healthy, aging Indians. Subjects are recruited through area sampling strategy, from villages of Srinivaspura, Kolar district, Karnataka state, India. Three physical frailty parameters of Fried's phenotype-handgrip strength (n = 1787), TUG time (n = 1863), and physical activity (n = 1640) were assessed using digital hand dynamometry, TUG test, and General Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), respectively.

Results

The 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th percentiles for the three frailty parameters were: right-hand grip strength (kg): males-13.9, 18.6, 23.8, 28.7, 33.7 and females-7.8, 10.6, 14.2, 17.9, 21.3; left-hand grip strength (kg): males-13.3, 18.3, 23.6, 28.9, 32.9 and females-7.9, 10.5, 14.3, 17.8, 21.2; TUG time (s): males-9.1, 10.1, 11.4, 13.4, 15.5 and females-9.5, 10.7, 12.4, 14.5, 16.6; physical activity (MET-minutes/week): males-1680; 4320; 8880; 15,840; 23,352 and females-1680; 4320; 9240; 15,120; 20,160.

Discussion

Our findings show that from 45 years onwards, overall grip strength decreases and TUG time increases, with women performing significantly poorer than men across all age groups, except >75 years, where no differences were seen. Physical activity did not show any consistent trend according to age or gender. Reference values for this aging, rural Indian population were substantially lower for grip strength and higher for TUG time than aging populations in several Western and other Asian countries.

Mental Health and Handgrip Strength Among Older Adults: A Nationwide Study

Handgrip strength is used as an important indicator of health in older adults. We aimed to explore the association between stress, depression, and suicidal ideation and handgrip strength among older adults. We conducted this cross-sectional study involving 1254 individuals (aged ≥65 years), using data from the 2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI. We used logistic regression analysis to examine associations between handgrip strength and mental health. Among mental health factors, a significant difference was noted between stress and handgrip strength among the older adults. After adjusting for confounding factors, the odd ratio (OR) of stress among older adults with low handgrip strength was statistically significant in Models 1 (1.61 (95% CI: 1.01–2.57)) and 2 (1.59 (95% CI: 1.01–2.52)) but not in Model 3 (1.52 (95% CI: .96–2.43)). No significant association was found between depression or suicidal ideation and handgrip strength. The risk of stress was 1.59-1.61 times higher in older adults with low handgrip strength, compared to that in older adults with normal handgrip strength. It is necessary to develop strategies aimed at managing stress among older adults with low handgrip strength and educating them about the importance of handgrip strength and exercises that increase handgrip strength.

Normative Static Grip Strength of Saudi Arabia's Population and Influences of Numerous Factors on Grip Strength

Most daily tasks require exerting static grip strength which can be challenging for the elderly as their strength diminishes with age. Moreover, normative static grip strength data are important in ergonomics and clinical settings. The goal of this study is to present the gender, age-specific, hand-specific, and body-mass-index-specific handgrip strength reference of Saudi males and females in order to describe the population's occupational demand and to compare them with the international standards. The secondary objective is to investigate the effects of gender, age group, hand area, and body mass index on the grip strength. A sample of 297 (146 male and 151 female) volunteers aged between 18 and 70 with different occupations participated in the study. Grip strength data were collected using a Jamar dynamometer with standard test position, protocol, and instructions. The mean maximum voluntary grip strength values for males were 38.71 kg and 22.01 kg, respectively. There was a curvilinear relationship of grip strength to age; significant differences between genders, hand area, and some age groups; and a correlation to hand dimensions depending on the gender.

Handgrip Strength in Young Adults: Association with Anthropometric Variables and Laterality

The measurement of handgrip strength (HGS) is an indicator of an individual's overall strength and can serve as a predictor of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate whether HGS is associated with handedness in young adults and if it is influenced by anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and sport-related parameters. We conducted a cross-sectional study on a sample of 544 young Italian adults aged 18-30 years. We measured HGS using a dynamometer and collected data on handedness and physical activity, along with anthropometric measurements. In both sexes, the HGS of the dominant side was significantly greater than that of the non-dominant side. Furthermore, in ambidextrous individuals, the right hand was stronger than the left. A comparison between the lowest and the highest tercile of HGS highlighted its significant association with anthropometric and body composition parameters in both sexes. Moreover, sex, dominant upper arm muscle area, arm fat index, fat mass, and fat-free mass were found to be significant predictors of HGS by multiple regression analysis. Our findings suggest that HGS is especially influenced by body composition parameters and handedness category. Therefore, HGS can be used as a proxy for unhealthy conditions with impairment of muscle mass, provided that the dominance in the laterality of the subject under examination is taken into account.

Quality of life and subjective health status according to handgrip strength in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine potential associations between handgrip strength and health-related quality of life, or subjective health status, in the elderly.

METHOD

We performed secondary data analysis on 2377 elderly individuals aged >65 years. Raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2014-2015), were drawn from a representative national sample.

RESULTS

Of those aged ≥65 years or older, 25.4% had low handgrip strength. After adjusting for confounding variables, the odds ratios of elderly individuals with low handgrip strength were 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.69) for mobility, 2.18 (95% CI: 1.47-3.22) for self-care, 1.70 (95% CI: 1.30-2.23) for usual activities, 1.30 (95% CI: 1.01-1.67) for pain/discomfort, 1.03 (95% CI: 0.74-1.44) for anxiety/depression, 1.44 (95% CI: 1.10-1.87) for the EQ-5D index, and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.08-1.73) for subjective health status.

CONCLUSION

Health-related quality of life and subjective health status differ according to handgrip strength. Therefore, handgrip strength should be addressed to improve quality of life in elderly individuals. Elderly individuals require exercise education and adequate nutritional intake to increase handgrip strength.

The Effects of Industrial Protective Gloves and Hand Skin Temperatures on Hand Grip Strength and Discomfort Rating

Daily working activities and functions require a high contribution of hand and forearm muscles in executing grip force. To study the effects of wearing different gloves on grip strength, under a variety of hand skin temperatures, an assessment of the maximum grip strength was performed with 32 healthy male workers with a mean age (standard deviation) of 30.44 (5.35) years wearing five industrial gloves at three hand skin temperatures. Their ages and anthropometric characteristics including body mass index (BMI), hand length, hand width, hand depth, hand palm, and wrist circumference were measured. The hand was exposed to different bath temperatures (5 °C, 25 °C, and 45 °C) and hand grip strength was measured using a Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer with and without wearing the gloves (chemical protection glove, rubber insulating glove, anti-vibration impact glove, cotton yarn knitted glove, and RY-WG002 working glove). The data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Pearson correlation coefficient, Tukey test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the within-subject design analysis. The results showed that wearing gloves significantly affected the maximum grip strength. Wearing the RY-WG002 working glove produced a greater reduction on the maximum grip when compared with the bare hand, while low temperatures (5 °C) had a significant influence on grip when compared to medium (25 °C) and high (45 °C) hand skin temperatures. In addition, participants felt more discomfort in both environmental extreme conditions. Furthermore, they reported more discomfort while wearing neoprene, rubber, and RY-WG002 working gloves.

Electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in elderly women - a pilot study

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of age and chosen factors related to aging such as dentition, muscle strength, and nutrition on masticatory muscles electromyographic activity during chewing in healthy elderly women.

Background

With longer lifespan there is a need for maintaining optimal quality of life and health in older age. Skeletal muscle strength deteriorates in older age. This deterioration is also observed within masticatory muscles.

Methods

A total of 30 women, aged 68–92 years, were included in the study: 10 individuals had natural functional dentition, 10 were missing posterior teeth in the upper and lower jaw reconstructed with removable partial dentures, and 10 were edontoulous, using complete removable dentures. Surface electromyography was performed to evaluate masticatory muscles activity. Afterwards, measurement of masseter thickness with ultrasound imaging was performed, body mass index and body cell mass index were calculated, and isometric handgrip strength was measured.

Results

Isometric maximal voluntary contraction decreased in active masseters with increasing age and in active and passive temporalis muscles with increasing age and increasing body mass index. In active masseter, mean electromyographic activity during the sequence (time from the start of chewing till the end when the test food became ready to swallow) decreased with increasing age and during the cycle (single bite time) decreased with increasing age and increasing body mass index. In active and passive temporalis muscles, mean electromyographic activity during the sequence and the cycle decreased with increasing age, increasing body mass index, and loss of natural dentition. Individuals with natural dentition had significantly higher mean muscle activity during sequence and cycle in active temporalis muscles than those wearing full dentures and higher maximal activity during cycle in individuals with active and passive temporalis muscles than in complete denture wearers.

Conclusion

Decrease in electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in elderly women is related to age, deterioration of dental status, and body mass index.

Grip and pinch strength in children with Down syndrome

Introduction

Children with Down syndrome present with joint laxity, hypotonia and shortened hands resulting in reduced grip and pinch strength. Limited information on grip and pinch strength in children with Down syndrome motivated this study.

Methods

A convenience sample of 30 children with Down syndrome (9–16 years) from special schools and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy school children was studied. Grip and pinch strength were measured according to ASHT standard procedure using JAMAR® dynamometer and B&L pinch gauge. Anthropometric data of upper limb and subject characteristics were recorded.

Results

Children with Down syndrome had significantly lower values for grip, palmar and key pinch strength (p < 0.001) (6.3 kg, 1.91 kg, 2.75 kg) compared to healthy children (15.9 kg, 2.86 kg, 3.52 kg), respectively. A positive moderate correlation was observed between right hand grip strength and body height (r = 0.67), bodyweight (r = 0.69), total arm length (r = 0.68), upper arm length (r = 0.68), forearm length (r = 0.63), hand length (r = 0.68) and hand breadth (r = 0.66) in children with Down syndrome.

Conclusions

Children with Down syndrome presented with 60% less grip strength, 33% less palmar pinch strength and 22% less key pinch strength when compared to children without Down syndrome. Positive moderate correlation was observed between grip strength, body height, body weight and upper limb anthropometric variables in children with Down syndrome.

Laterality of handgrip strength: age- and physical training-related changes in Lithuanian schoolchildren and conscripts

Laterality in handgrip strength was assessed by analyzing dynamometric data of the right and left hand in three samples of Lithuanian boys and girls aged 7-20 years. In addition, the influence of general physical training on the laterality of handgrip strength was explored in a sample of conscripts. A negative secular trend in handgrip strength of schoolchildren has been detected since 1965, and with increasing age, right-handedness has become more pronounced. Children that were ambidextrous (by grip strength) showed negative deviations in physical status more often than their right- or left-handed peers. During one year of physical training, the conscripts had a larger increase in grip strength of the left than in the right hand, and a marked shift in handgrip laterality toward left-handed and ambidextrous individuals was observed. The different impact of schooling and physical training on handgrip strength laterality might partly explain variations in the prevalence of handedness in different societies with divergent cultures and lifestyles (e.g., more or less sedentary).

Grip and pinch strength: Normative data for healthy Indian adults

Introduction

Normative values of grip and pinch strength are used to determine the effect of treatment, to assess patients’ initial limitation and provide a baseline for re-assessment of patient progress. Data gathered from western populations cannot be used for reference in Indian populations due to variations in genetic, environmental and nutritional factors.

Methods

A convenience sample of 1005 healthy adults was recruited for this descriptive study. Grip and pinch strength were measured with elbow positioned at 0°, 45°, 90° and full elbow flexion using a JAMAR dynamometer and B&L Pinch gauge.

Results

Men presented significantly higher values for grip strength ( p ≤ 0.001) at 0° of elbow flexion (37.8 kg) than women (22.12 kg). For remaining positions of the elbow, average grip strength values in men were 33 kg and in women were 20 kg. Men presented significantly higher values of tip, palmar and key pinch (3.9, 6.7 and 7.2 kg) than women (3.2, 4.71 and 4.81 kg). Grip strength was significantly different at different positions of the elbow ( p ≤ 0.001); it was highest at 0° and lowest at 135° of elbow flexion among men.

Conclusions

Findings from study will provide reference values for grip, tip, palmar and key pinch strength for healthy Indian adults. Grip and pinch strength of healthy Indian adults is less compared with age and gender-matched population from other continents.

Correlations of Handgrip Strength with Selected Hand-Arm-Anthropometric Variables in Indian Inter-university Female Volleyball Players

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to estimate the dominant handgrip strength and its correlations with some hand and arm anthropometric variables in 101 randomly selected Indian inter-university female volleyball players aged 18-25 years (mean age 20.52±1.40) from six Indian universities.

Methods

Three anthropometric variables, i.e. height, weight, BMI, two hand anthropometric variables, viz. right and left hand width and length, four arm anthropometric variables, i.e. upper arm length, lower arm length, upper extremity length, upper arm circumference and dominant right and non-dominant handgrip strength were measured among Indian inter-university female volleyball players by standard anthropometric techniques.

Results

The findings of the present study indicated that Indian female volleyball players had higher mean values in eleven variables and lesser mean values in two variables than their control counterparts, showing significant differences (P<0.032-0.001) in height (t=2.63), weight (t=8.66), left hand width (t=2.10), left and right hand length (t=9.99 and 10.40 respectively), right upper arm length (t=8.48), right forearm length (t=5.41), dominant (right) and non-dominant (left) handgrip strength (t=9.37 and 6.76 respectively). In female volleyball players, dominant handgrip strength had significantly positive correlations (P=0.01) with all the variables studied.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that dominant handgrip strength had strong positive correlations with all the variables studied in Indian inter-university female volleyball players.