Age and Anthropometric Traits Predict Handgrip Strength in Healthy Normals

Hand grip strength is an inevitable component in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis, neuromuscular, preoperative, post operative patients and community dwelling older adults' functional capacity. Hand grip varies greatly with age, gender and the anthropometric measures when measured by hand dynamometer. The influence of above variables on hand grip when measured by modified sphygmomanometer is unknown. Further, the prediction of hand grip from age and anthropometric traits is unknown. 229 subjects (115 males and 114 females) with age 23 +/- 2 and 21 +/- 2 respectively were included in the study after informed c nsent. Weight and height were obtained using standard techniques. Hand grip was measured using a modified sphygmomanometer. Information regarding physical activity and health status was obtained by interview, clinical screening and stratified. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was sought out for any influence of age, height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) on hand grip strength. Grip strength correlated moderate to high with age (r=0.44, p=0.00), height (r=0.57, p=0.00), weight (r=0.57, p=0.00) and BMI (r=0.29, p=0.00). The regression model for handgrip strength is Hand grip= -1790.54+4.93557xAge-11.7429xWeight+1083.4xHeight+34.194xBMI. Age, height and weight are the i portant determinants of the handgrip evaluation. In clinical setting, the influence of age and anthropo etric traits on handgrip shall be borne in mind when measuring handgrip by modified sphygmomanometer in age group of 20-25 year patients.