Hand strength and dexterity
Kellor, M.; Frost, J.; Silberberg, N.; Iversen, I.; Cummings, R.
American Journal of Occupational Therapy Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association 25(2): 77-83
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0272-9490 PMID: 5551515 Document Number: 3218
A sample of 250 men and women, stratified on age, served as the basis for establishing norms for four tests of grip strength employing a dynamometer or pinch meter and two peg board tests of hand dexterity. The norms, developed separately for men and women, recognize strength and dexterity to be declining functions of age; and, after first establishing linearity, regression analysis was employed to quantify the relationships. The norms developed in this study are presented in both tabular and graphic form to facilitate the occupational therapist's comparison of her patient with normal individuals of the same age and sex. Both right-hand and left-hand norms are presented. In addition to confirming the well-known finding that men have greater grip strength than women and retain this superiority throughout adult life, this study found that men lose grip strength at a greater rate than do women. Also, while both are approximately equally dexterous in their early twenties, women lose dexterity at a slower rate than do men, thus confirming another well-known finding that women are generally more dexterous than men.
Document emailed within 1 workday
