Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hand Dimensions and Grip Strength: A Comparison of Manual and Non-manual Workers

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018) (IEA 2018)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 826))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine grip strength differences between manual and non-manual workers and to investigate possible contributors.

The sample consisted of 1740 adult males aged between 20–64 years old including 905 manual (40.5 ± 16.8 years) and 835 non-manual workers (48.3 ± 18.2 years). The first group was manual unskilled workers who perform light manual operations. Non-manual workers were office/clerical employees who spent the majority of their time behind a computer. Hand dimensions (palm width, hand length, palm length, forearm length, wrist circumference and forearm circumference) were measured by a digital Caliper (±0.1 mm) and a tape meter (±0.1 cm) with respect to the NASA standards. The values of grip strength were measured by JAMAR hydraulic dynamometer according to the ASHAT recommendations.

The mean hand grip strength of manual workers (51.6 ± 8.7 kg) was significantly higher than that of non-manual workers (45.2 ± 5.8 kg) (P < 0.001). Concerning hand dimensions, Palm width and forearm circumference were significantly greater in manual workers than in non-manual workers (range of difference: 0.5–2.3 cm for palm width and 1.1–2.8 cm for forearm circumference). Other hand dimensions were not statistically different between the two job groups. Among all selected hand dimensions, palm width and forearm circumference had the greatest relationship with grip strength (r = 0.71, p < 0.001 for manual workers; r = 0.66, p < 0.001 for non-manual workers). This study revealed that light manual workers are approximately 12.4% stronger than office employees in hand grip. It is important to take the observed differences into account in clinical as well as design settings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kuijt-Evers LFM, Groenesteijn L, De Looze MP, Vink P (2004) Identifying factors of comfort in using hand tools. Appl Ergon 35(5):453–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Josty IC, Tyler MPH, Shewell PC, Roberts AHN (1997) Grip and pinch strength variations in different types of workers. J Hand Surg Am 22(2):266–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Angst F, Drerup S, Werle S, Herren DB, Simmen BR, Goldhahn J (2010) Prediction of grip and key pinch strength in 978 healthy subjects. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 11(1):94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ding H, Leino-Arjas P, Murtomaa H, Takala E-P, Solovieva S (2013) Variation in work tasks in relation to pinch grip strength among middle-aged female dentists. Appl Ergon 44(6):977–981

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Dahlke G, Butlewski M, Drzewiecka M (2016) Impact of the work process on power grip strength: a practical case. Occup Saf Hyg

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cooper R, Kuh D, Cooper C, Gale CR, Lawlor DA, Matthews F et al (2010) Objective measures of physical capability and subsequent health: a systematic review. Age Ageing 40(1):14–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Adamczyk JG, Hołun M, Boguszewski D, Siewierski M (2013) Evaluation of the effectiveness of hand grip strength training using a device Powerball®. The effectiveness of the force training with the help of Powerball®. Musculoskelet J Hosp Spec Surg 3(6):35–44

    Google Scholar 

  8. Volaklis KA, Halle M, Meisinger C (2015) Muscular strength as a strong predictor of mortality: a narrative review. Eur J Intern Med 26(5):303–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Trzaskoma Z, Trzaskoma Ł (2001) The proportion between maximal torque of core muscles in male and female athletes. Acta Bioeng Biomech 3(Suppl 2):601–606

    Google Scholar 

  10. Peters MJH, van Nes SI, Vanhoutte EK, Bakkers M, van Doorn PA, Merkies ISJ et al (2011) Revised normative values for grip strength with the Jamar dynamometer. J Peripher Nerv Syst 16(1):47–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Shahida MSN, Zawiah MDS, Case K (2015) The relationship between anthropometry and hand grip strength among elderly Malaysians. Int J Ind Ergon 50:17–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Walker-Bone K, D’angelo S, Syddall HE, Palmer KT, Cooper C, Coggon D et al (2016) Heavy manual work throughout the working lifetime and muscle strength among men at retirement age. Occup Env Med oemed-2015

    Google Scholar 

  13. Tietjen-Smith T, Smith SW, Martin M, Henry R, Weeks S, Bryant A (2006) Grip strength in relation to overall strength and functional capacity in very old and oldest old females. Phys Occup Ther Geriatr 24(4):63–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Barlow MJ, Findlay M, Gresty K, Cooke C (2014) Anthropometric variables and their relationship to performance and ability in male surfers. Eur J Sport Sci 14(sup1):S171–S177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Abe T, Counts BR, Barnett BE, Dankel SJ, Lee K, Loenneke JP (2015) Associations between handgrip strength and ultrasound-measured muscle thickness of the hand and forearm in young men and women. Ultrasound Med Biol 41(8):2125–2130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Werle S, Goldhahn J, Drerup S, Simmen BR, Sprott H, Herren DB (2009) Age-and gender-specific normative data of grip and pinch strength in a healthy adult Swiss population. J Hand Surg (Eur Vol)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Ekşioğlu M (2016) Normative static grip strength of population of Turkey, effects of various factors and a comparison with international norms. Appl Ergon 52:8–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Mathiowetz V, Kashman N, Volland G, Weber K, Dowe M, Rogers S (1985) Grip and pinch strength: normative data for adults. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 66(2):69–74

    Google Scholar 

  19. Jürimäe T, Hurbo T, Jürimäe J (2009) Relationship of handgrip strength with anthropometric and body composition variables in prepubertal children. HOMO-J. Comput Hum Biol 60(3):225–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Shyamal K, Yadav KM (2009) An association of hand grip strength with some anthropometric variables in Indian cricket players. Facta Univ Phys Educ Sport 7(2):113–123

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wu S-W, Wu S-F, Liang H-W, Wu Z-T, Huang S (2009) Measuring factors affecting grip strength in a Taiwan Chinese population and a comparison with consolidated norms. Appl Ergon 40(4):811–815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Li K, Hewson DJ, Duchêne J, Hogrel J-Y (2010) Predicting maximal grip strength using hand circumference. Man Ther 15(6):579–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Kamarul T, Ahmad TS, Loh WYC (2006) Hand grip strength in the adult Malaysian population. J Orthop Surg 14(2):172–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Schlüssel MM, dos Anjos LA, de Vasconcellos MTL, Kac G (2008) Reference values of handgrip dynamometry of healthy adults: a population-based study. Clin Nutr 27(4):601–607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Günther CM, Bürger A, Rickert M, Crispin A, Schulz CU (2008) Grip strength in healthy caucasian adults: reference values. J Hand Surg Am 33(4):558–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Anakwe RE, Huntley JS, McEachan JE (2007) Grip strength and forearm circumference in a healthy population. J Hand Surg (Eur Vol) 32(2):203–209

    Google Scholar 

  27. Shim JH, Roh SY, Kim JS, Lee DC, Ki SH, Yang JW et al (2013) Normative measurements of grip and pinch strengths of 21st century korean population. Arch Plast Surg 40(1):52–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Chatterjee S, CHOWDHURI BJ (1991) Comparison of grip strength and isometric endurance between the right and left hands of men and their relationship with age and other physical parameters. J Hum Ergol (Tokyo) 20(1):41–50

    Google Scholar 

  29. Mittal A, Kumar S (1998) Human muscle strength definition, measurement and usage. Part guidelines for the practioners. Int J Ind Ergon 101–21

    Google Scholar 

  30. Eksioglu M (2011) Endurance time of grip-force as a function of grip-span, posture and anthropometric variables. Int J Ind Ergon 41(5):401–409

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  31. Ekşioğlu M, Recep Z (2013) Hand torque strength of female population of Turkey and the effects of various factors. In: Occupational safety and hygiene. CRC Press, pp 51–56

    Google Scholar 

  32. Eksioglu M (2004) Relative optimum grip span as a function of hand anthropometry. Int J Ind Ergon 34(1):1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Book NAS (1978) Volume II: a handbook of anthropometric data. NASA Reference: Publication 1024

    Google Scholar 

  34. Mathiowetz V, Weber K, Volland G, Kashman N (1984) Reliability and validity of grip and pinch strength evaluations. J Hand Surg Am 9(2):222–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Svens B, Lee H (2005) Intra-and inter-instrument reliability of Grip-Strength Measurements: GripTrackTM and Jamar® hand dynamometers. Br J Hand Ther 10(2):47–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Fess EE, Moran C (1981) American society of hand therapists: clinical assessment recommendations. Garner Soc

    Google Scholar 

  37. Nygård C-H, Eskelinen L, Suvanto S, Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J (1991) Associations between functional capacity and work ability among elderly municipal employees. Scand J Work Environ Health 122–127

    Google Scholar 

  38. Frontera WR, Hughes VA, Lutz KJ, Evans WJ (1991) A cross-sectional study of muscle strength and mass in 45-to 78-yr-old men and women. J Appl Physiol 71(2):644–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Metter EJ, Lynch N, Conwit R, Lindle R, Tobin J, Hurley B (1999) Muscle quality and age: cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons. J Gerontol Ser A Biomed Sci Med Sci 54(5):B207–B218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Häkkinen A, Kautiainen H, Hannonen P, Ylinen J, Mäkinen H, Sokka T (2006) Muscle strength, pain, and disease activity explain individual subdimensions of the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index, especially in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 65(1):30–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Adedoyin RA, Ogundapo FA, Mbada CE, Adekanla BA, Johnson OE, Onigbinde TA et al (2009) Reference values for handgrip strength among healthy adults in Nigeria. Hong Kong Physiother J 27(1):21–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Sternäng O, Reynolds CA, Finkel D, Ernsth-Bravell M, Pedersen NL, Aslan AKD (2015) Factors associated with grip strength decline in older adults. Age Ageing 44(2):269–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Bechtol CO (1954) Grip test. J Bone Jt Surg Am 36(4):820–832

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Pieterse S, Manandhar M, Ismail S (2002) The association between nutritional status and handgrip strength in older Rwandan refugees. Eur J Clin Nutr 56(10):933

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Lauretani F, Russo CR, Bandinelli S, Bartali B, Cavazzini C, Di Iorio A et al (2003) Age-associated changes in skeletal muscles and their effect on mobility: an operational diagnosis of sarcopenia. J Appl Physiol 95(5):1851–1860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Koley S, Kumaar SB (2012) The relation between handgrip strength and selected hand-anthropometric variables in Indian inter-university softball players. Facta Univ Phys Educ Sport 10(1):13–21

    Google Scholar 

  47. Patrick JM, Bassey EJ, Fentem PH (1982) Changes in body fat and muscle in manual workers at and after retirement. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 49(2):187–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health, Safety and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mahnaz Saremi & Sajjad Rostamzadeh

Authors
  1. Mahnaz Saremi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sajjad Rostamzadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sajjad Rostamzadeh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Republic of San Marino, San Marino, San Marino

    Sebastiano Bagnara

  2. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Riccardo Tartaglia

  3. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Sara Albolino

  4. Fraunhofer FKIE, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Thomas Alexander

  5. International Ergonomics Association, Tokyo, Japan

    Yushi Fujita

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Saremi, M., Rostamzadeh, S. (2019). Hand Dimensions and Grip Strength: A Comparison of Manual and Non-manual Workers. In: Bagnara, S., Tartaglia, R., Albolino, S., Alexander, T., Fujita, Y. (eds) Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018). IEA 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 826. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96065-4_56

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation