Hand Span Influences Optimal Grip Span in Boys and Girls Aged 6 to 12 Years

doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.11.013

The Journal of Hand Surgery

Volume 33, Issue 3, March 2008, Pages 378-384

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.11.013 Get rights and content

Purpose

The first aim was to determine whether there is an optimal grip span for determining the maximum hand grip strength in boys and girls aged 6 to 12 years and whether the optimal grip span was related to hand span. If so, the second aim was to derive a mathematical equation relating hand span and optimal grip span.

Methods

A total of 123 boys (9 y ± 2) and 70 girls (8 y ± 2) were evaluated. Each hand was randomly tested on 10 occasions using 5 different grip spans, allowing a 1-minute rest between attempts. The hand span was measured from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger with the hand opened widely.

Results

An optimal grip span to determine maximum hand grip strength was identified for both genders. Hand span and optimal grip span showed a significant linear association in the studied children. The equation relating grip span as a function of hand span in boys is formulated as y = x/4 + 0.44 and in girls as y = 0.3x – 0.52, where x is the hand span (maximal width between first and fifth fingers) and y is the optimal grip span.

Conclusions

The results suggest that there is an optimal grip span to which the dynamometer should be adjusted when measuring hand grip strength in children. The optimal grip span was influenced by hand span in both genders.

Section snippets

Subjects

A total of 123 boys (9 y ± 2), and 70 girls (8 y ± 2) participated in the study. A comprehensive verbal description of the nature and purpose of the study was given to both the children and their teachers. One parent or legal guardian provided written informed consent, and all children gave verbal assent. All the children included in the current study were in good health and free of any lesion or impairments in the upper limbs. The children were encouraged to do their best when performing the

Results

The children completed all the tests satisfactorily. The measured hand span (mean ± SD) was 17.8 ± 1.5 cm for boys (n = 123) and 17.2 ± 1.4 cm for girls (n = 70) (p = .004). Boys obtained higher values of hand grip strength at each grip span than did girls (all p ≤ .004) (data not shown). In both genders, and for both hands, an optimal grip span was obtained. The optimal grip span for each hand span for boys and girls is presented in Table 1, Table 2, respectively. The optimal grip span was not

Discussion

This study shows that there is an optimal grip span at which the standard dynamometer should be adjusted when measuring hand grip strength in children. In both genders, the optimal grip span is influenced by hand span, which implies the need of adjusting the grip span of the dynamometer to the hand span. For that purpose, gender-specific equations are proposed. This study shows how to mathematically adjust the grip span of the dynamometer to the hand span when measuring hand grip strength in

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: This study was supported by the IDEFICS study, with the financial support of the European Community Sixth RTD Framework Programme (contract FOOD-CT-2006-016181-2); the ALPHA study, with the financial support of the Public Health Executive Agency, DG Sanco, Health Information Strand (ref. 2006120); Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia de España (AP2003-2128 and AP2005-4358); and the Margit and Folke Pehrzon Foundation. The content of this article reflects only the authors’ views, and the European community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.

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Scientific articleHand Span Influences Optimal Grip Span in Boys and Girls Aged 6 to 12 Years

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Subjects

Results

Discussion

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis

Arch Phys Med Rehabil

J Hand Surg

J Hand Surg

Gait Posture

J Hand Surg

J Hand Surg

J Hand Surg

J Hand Ther

Arch Phys Med Rehabil

Appl Ergon

J Hand Surg

J Hand Surg

Am J Prev Med

Rev Esp Cardiol

Diabetes Res Clin Pract

Health-related fitness assessment in childhood and adolescence; a European approach based on the AVENA, EYHS and HELENA studies

J Public Health

Scientific article
Hand Span Influences Optimal Grip Span in Boys and Girls Aged 6 to 12 Years