Affiliations: MGM School of Physiotherapy, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Rajani Mullerpatan, MGM School of Physiotherapy, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Sector-1, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai-410209, Maharashtra, India. Tel. +91 992 004 8476; E-mail: rajani.kanade@googlemail.com.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to provide reference values for grip and pinch strength for healthy children and adolescents in India. METHODS:Grip and pinch strength were recorded for 900 participants stratified into 5 chronological age groups (5–6, 7–9, 10–12, 13–15 and 16–18 years). Grip strength was measured using a Jamar Dynamometer and pinch strength using a Martin vigorimeter. RESULTS: The difference in grip and pinch strength between age groups was significant (p< 0.001 respectively). A linear rise in grip strength was noted from age groups of 5–6 years to 16–18 years. Moderate to strong positive association was observed between grip and pinch strength and upper extremity anthropometric characteristics (i.e., palmar width, hand span, hand length, arm length, forearm length, and upper limb length) from age groups of 5–6 years to 16–18 years. Boys demonstrated greater grip and pinch strength compared to girls in all age groups (p< 0.001). No difference was observed between the dominant and non-dominant hand in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the present study provide reference values for grip strength, tip to tip, key and tripod pinch for healthy Indian children and adolescents from 5–18 years of age, which will be useful to guide rehabilitation outcomes in routine clinical practice.
Keywords: Grip strength, pinch strength, reference values, anthropometric variables, children and adolescents, Indian
