Revised normative values for grip strength with the Jamar dynamometer

The Jamar dynamometer has been widely used in various chronic illnesses and has demonstrated its strength as a potential prognostic indicator. Various stratified normative values have been published using different methodologies, leading to conflicting results. No study used statistical techniques considering the non‐Gaussian distribution of the obtained grip strength (GS) values. Jamar GS was assessed in 720 healthy participants, subdivided into seven age decade groups consisting of at least 50 men and 50 women each. Normative values (median and fifth values) were calculated using quantile regressions with restricted cubic spline functions on age. Possible confounding personal factors (hand dominance, length, weight, hobby, and job categorization) were examined. Clinically applicable revised normative values for the Jamar dynamometer, stratified for age and gender, are presented. Hand dominance had no influence. Other personal factors only minimally influenced final values. This study provides revised normative GS values for the Jamar dynamometer.

[1]  American Society of Hand Therapists , 1983 .

[2]  J Goldhahn,et al.  Age- and Gender-Specific Normative Data of Grip and Pinch Strength in a Healthy Adult Swiss Population , 2009, The Journal of hand surgery, European volume.

[3]  Nicola Massy-Westropp,et al.  Measuring grip strength in normal adults: reference ranges and a comparison of electronic and hydraulic instruments. , 2004, The Journal of hand surgery.

[4]  G. Lauria,et al.  131st ENMC International workshop: Selection of Outcome Measures for Peripheral Neuropathy Clinical Trials 10–12 December 2004, Naarden, The Netherlands , 2006, Neuromuscular Disorders.

[5]  V. Mathiowetz,et al.  Reliability and validity of grip and pinch strength evaluations. , 1984, The Journal of hand surgery.

[6]  B. Langhammer,et al.  Stroke patients and long-term training: is it worthwhile? A randomized comparison of two different training strategies after rehabilitation , 2007, Clinical rehabilitation.

[7]  C. K. van der Sluis,et al.  Effectiveness of a MP-blocking splint and therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: a descriptive pilot study. , 2008, Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand Therapists.

[8]  K. Toyka,et al.  Assessing grip strength in healthy individuals and patients with immune‐mediated polyneuropathies , 2000, Muscle & nerve.

[9]  R. Härkönen,et al.  Grip Strength and Hand Position of the Dynamometer in 204 Finnish Adults , 1993, Journal of hand surgery.

[10]  P. Schmitz,et al.  Measuring vibration threshold with a graduated tuning fork in normal aging and in patients with polyneuropathy , 1998, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

[11]  P. Schmitz,et al.  Interobserver agreement in the assessment of muscle strength and functional abilities in Guillain‐Barré syndrome , 1991, Muscle & nerve.

[12]  Daniel B Herren,et al.  Prediction of grip and key pinch strength in 978 healthy subjects , 2010, BMC musculoskeletal disorders.

[13]  Richard W. Bohannon,et al.  Reference values for adult grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer: a descriptive meta-analysis , 2006 .

[14]  Frank E. Harrell,et al.  The restricted cubic spline hazard model , 1990 .

[15]  Virgil G Mathiowetz Grip and pinch strength measurements , 1990 .