Pinch grip, power grip and wrist twisting strengths of healthy older adults

Objectives of this cross-sectional study were to collect data on handgrip and wrist twisting strengths of healthy older adults and to arrive at regression equations that estimate pinch and power grip strengths of communitydwelling older adults in the United Kingdom. Methods. The study sample comprised 65 males and 85 females within the age range of 55 to 85 years. A strain-gauge hand-held dynamometer was used to measure various pinch and power grip strengths. A torque meter was used to measure wrist twisting strength. Results. The correlation between pinch grip and power grip strengths was high (r>0.65) resulting in a linear regression equation. A multiple regression equation was developed, with power grip strength as the dependent variable and age, hand area, and mid arm circumference as predictor variables. Conclusion. Knowing a relationship between pinch grip and power grip strengths, and an equation to calculate the power grip strength, designers of food packaging can estimate pinch strengths of healthy older individuals living in the community. A torque value of 1.3 Newton-metre, as calculated in this paper, can be recommended as a removal torque for opening child-resistant bottle tops.

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