Sex differences in wrist strength: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Biomechanics
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Sex-based differences in body composition and anthropometrics influence upper extremity strength, a factor often overlooked in workplace guidelines.
• These strength disparities can increase injury risk for female workers in tasks requiring specific upper limb force exertion.
• Standardized measurement of upper extremity strength is challenging, necessitating a consolidated understanding of sex-based differences.

Approach:

• A systematic review was conducted using four online databases (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022339023) to analyze sex differences in wrist strength.
• 2,378 articles were screened, with 25 full-text articles included to examine various movement pairs (ulnar/radial deviation, pronation/supination, flexion/extension) and contraction types (isometric, isokinetic).

Key Points:

• Females demonstrated lower absolute wrist strength, producing approximately 55-70% of male strength across different movement types.
• When normalized for body mass, male-female strength differences diminished, with females sometimes exhibiting superior relative strength, particularly in isokinetic flexion/extension.
• A notable scarcity of research exists for ulnar/radial deviation, pronation/supination, and isokinetic wrist strength assessments.

Conclusions:

• Existing research indicates significant sex differences in absolute wrist strength, impacting occupational safety for females.
• Relative strength analysis suggests a more nuanced picture, with females performing comparably or better in certain normalized metrics.
• Further research into specific wrist movements and contraction types is crucial for refining workplace guidelines and mitigating injury risks.