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Hand Grip Strength: age and gender stratified normative data in a population-based study
Nicola M Massy-Westropp1, Tiffany K Gill, Anne W Taylor
1University of South Australia, School of Health Sciences Adelaide, South Australia SA 5000, Australia. nicola.massy-westropp@unisa.edu.au.
BMC Research Notes
|April 16, 2011
Summary
Australian adults have lower hand grip strength and higher body mass index (BMI) compared to international norms, particularly in younger individuals. This study provides updated hand grip strength data for the Australian population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The North West Adelaide Health Study is a longitudinal cohort study of Australian adults aged 18 years and over.
- This research focuses on hand grip strength, a key indicator of overall health and functional capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for hand grip strength in a community-based Australian population.
- To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and hand grip strength.
- To compare Australian hand grip strength data with international benchmarks.
Main Methods:
- A representative sample was recruited via telephone interview.
- Data collection occurred during the second stage of the study (2004-2006), focusing on musculoskeletal health.
- Hand grip strength measurements were obtained from 2678 participants after excluding those with hand pain or arthritis.
Main Results:
- The study population was relatively young (41.5% under 40) with a mean BMI of 28.1 kg/m2.
- Hand grip strength showed a weak positive relationship with BMI in adults under 30 and over 70, and an inverse relationship between these ages.
- Australian hand grip strength norms were among the lowest internationally, except for underweight populations.
Conclusions:
- Younger Australian adults exhibit higher BMI and lower hand grip strength compared to international data.
- The relationship between BMI and hand grip strength requires further investigation, particularly in underweight individuals.
- Age- and gender-specific grip strength values in younger Australian adults are lower than previously reported internationally.
