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Key pinch in healthy adults: normative values.
C M Günther1, A Bürger, M Rickert
1Department of Orthopaedics, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany. christian.guenther@med.uni-muenchen.de
The Journal of Hand Surgery, European Volume
|April 30, 2008
Summary
Key pinch strength is lower in women than men, with the right hand being stronger. Strength decreases with age, independent of gender-specific hormonal changes.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human physiology
- Ergonomics
Background:
- Key pinch strength is a crucial functional measure.
- Understanding variations in key pinch strength is important for clinical and ergonomic assessments.
- Previous research has not comprehensively analyzed intra-individual and inter-individual variations across a wide age range.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze intra-individual and inter-individual variations in key pinch strength.
- To investigate the influence of gender, age, and constitutional variables on key pinch strength.
- To establish normative data for key pinch strength in healthy Caucasian adults.
Main Methods:
- Standardized measurement of key pinch strength in 769 healthy Caucasian adults (403 female, 366 male) aged 20-95 years.
- Analysis of variations based on gender, hand dominance, age, and constitutional factors (forearm length, circumference, hand size).
- Statistical correlation analysis to determine relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Mean key pinch strength was significantly lower in women (right 6.6 kg; left 6.1 kg) compared to men (right 10.4 kg; left 9.7 kg).
- The right side demonstrated approximately 7% greater strength than the left, irrespective of gender or hand dominance.
- Forearm length, forearm circumference, and hand size positively correlated with key pinch strength.
- A continuous decrease in key pinch strength was observed from the fifth decade of life onwards, with similar trends in both genders.
Conclusions:
- Key pinch strength exhibits significant variations based on gender and side dominance.
- Constitutional factors play a role in determining key pinch strength.
- Age-related decline in key pinch strength appears independent of gender-specific hormonal influences.
- Recommendations include side-adjusting measurements and considering constitutional characteristics for accurate intra-individual comparisons.
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