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Reference Values for Maximal Isometric Handgrip and Pinch Strength in Healthy Italian Adults Without Occupational
Emma Sala1, Nicola Riolfi2, Alessandro De Bellis2
1Unit of Occupational Health, Hygiene, Toxicology and Prevention, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy - Unit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
This study establishes crucial handgrip strength and pinch strength reference values for healthy Italian adults. These findings aid clinical and occupational assessments by providing sex and age-stratified data.
Area of Science:
- Ergonomics and Occupational Health
- Clinical Biomechanics
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Handgrip strength (HGS) and pinch strength are vital indicators of hand function with clinical and ergonomic significance.
- A lack of normative reference values for grip and pinch strength in healthy Italian adults, particularly those not exposed to upper-limb overload, was identified.
- Existing data gaps hinder accurate clinical and occupational assessments in Italy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish descriptive reference values for handgrip strength and three pinch types in a healthy Italian adult population (18-65 years).
- To stratify these normative values by sex and age group.
- To explore the influence of body mass index (BMI), hand dominance, sex, and age on strength measures.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 813 healthy Italian adults (319 men, 494 women).
- Standardized measurements of handgrip strength and pinch strength using a calibrated hand dynamometer and pinch gauge.
- Adherence to the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) protocol.
Main Results:
- Men exhibited higher strength values than women across all measured parameters.
- Body mass index (BMI) showed a stronger association with strength in women compared to men.
- Peak strength levels were observed between 30-49 years for men and 40-49 years for women, with hand dominance selectively affecting pinch tasks but not handgrip strength.
Conclusions:
- This research presents the first national joint normative dataset for grip and pinch strength in healthy Italian adults (18-65 years) without occupational biomechanical overload.
- These normative values are essential for supporting clinical and occupational assessments.
- The findings contribute to the development of comprehensive Italian normative reference tables for hand strength.
