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Published on: June 4, 2020
Hand anthropometry, grip strength, and manual dexterity: A correlational study among dental students
Leila Rastgoo Balov1, Teimour Allahyari1, Mohammad Jafari2
1Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
Objective:
Hand anthropometry, grip strength, and manual dexterity are fundamental to the safe and the effective performance of dental procedures. While these factors are individually important, their interrelationships in dental students remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to examine the correlation of hand anthropometric dimensions with grip strength, and manual dexterity among dental students, and to evaluate their potential implications for dental education and ergonomic instrument design.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 100 dental students. Thirty hand anthropometric dimensions were measured using a digital caliper and measuring tape. Power grip strength was assessed using a Jamar hydraulic dynamometer, and fine grip strength (tip pinch and key pinch) using a hydraulic pinch gauge. Manual dexterity was evaluated with the Roeder Hand Aptitude Test. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlation analyses were performed.
Results:
All hand anthropometric dimensions showed significant positive correlations with power and fine grip strength, with the strongest associations observed for palm width and hand length. Male students demonstrated significantly higher grip strength than female students across all grip types (p < 0.001). No significant sex-based differences were observed in manual dexterity. Most anthropometric dimensions were not significantly associated with manual dexterity, except for width-related measures (palm width, width across four fingers, and wrist width) in the more complex washer-and-nut task.
Conclusion:
Hand anthropometric dimensions are strong predictors of grip strength but have limited influence on manual dexterity. These findings suggest that while grip strength is largely determined by physical characteristics, manual dexterity is more dependent on motor coordination and practice. The results support the importance of ergonomics-based dental education and the consideration of hand-size variability in the design of dental instruments.
