The 10% rule: grip strength and hand dominance in a factory population

Issue title: Hands

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jarjour, Najwa^; | Lathrop, Jennifer A. | Meller, Todd E. | Roberts, Katina S. | Sopczak, Jane M. | Van Genderen, Kristine J. | Moyers, Penny

Affiliations: Graduate Programs in Occupational Therapy, University of Indianapolis, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: + 1 317 7883432; fax: + 1 317 7883300.

Abstract: This study examined the applicability of the 10% rule and the possible effect of years of work experience on the percent difference in grip strength for a sample of 124 factory workers in Indiana. The overall mean percent difference in grip strength, measured by the Jamar dynamometer, for both right- and left-handed participants was 6.3079%. A statistical difference was found (P = 0.029) in percent difference in grip strength among subjects with varying years of work experience. A significant difference (P = 0.007) also existed when comparing the right-handed scores to the left-handed scores of the Edinburgh Inventory. Results suggest that establishing grip strength norms for factory workers should not be determined by a percent difference rule, and the years of work experience need to be taken into consideration.

Keywords: Jamar Dynamometer, Edinburgh Inventory, Hand dominance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1997-8110

Journal: Work, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 83-91, 1997