Isometric muscle strength of Chinese young males in Taiwan

Comparison of Wrist Motion and Grip Strength in a Normal Chinese and Caucasian Population

BACKGROUND

Anatomical and functional differences between Asian and Caucasian populations have been described and are important in treatment of wrist pathology. The purpose of this study was to establish and compare normal values in an Asian and Caucasian population. We hypothesized that a normal Asian population will have greater wrist ROM and reduced grip- strength when compared to a normal Caucasian population.

METHODS

One hundred and-seventy-one normal Asian and 156 normal Caucasian wrists were evaluated. We excluded wrists with current or a history of wrist pathology including past surgery, injury or congenital malformation. We collected demographic information regarding occupation, body mass index (BMI), and previous wrist pathology. The wrist measurements included: wrist extension, flexion, radial, ulnar deviation, and grip strength. Wrists were also evaluated for a mid-carpal clunk, and scaphoid shift test. Mixed models accounted for evaluation of both hands in the same individual and for the relative contribution of different factors to the outcome measures of ROM and grip- strength.

RESULTS

The two groups differed in height, BMI and the distribution of occupation. The Asian group had more flexion, less extension and similar radial/ulnar wrist deviation when compared to the Caucasian group. Ethnicity was a significant predictor of wrist joint flexion and extension significantly predicting grip- strength. Age was associated with ROM while occupation, hand side and gender were not significant factors in the mixed model.

CONCLUSIONS

We found discrete differences between values in the two populations. More study of anatomical morphological patterns may explain the reason for variations in motion and grip- strength. The differences identified in this study between Asian and Caucasian populations should be taken into account when evaluating outcomes of wrist therapeutic procedures and rehabilitation in different communities.

Normative static grip strength of population of Turkey, effects of various factors and a comparison with international norms

Normative data are of importance in ergonomics and clinical settings. Applying normative data internationally is questionable. To this end, this study aimed to establish gender- and age-specific reference values for static (isometric) hand grip strength of normal population of Turkey with special regard to occupational demand, and compare them with the international norms. The secondary aims were to investigate the effects of gender, age-group, weight-group, job-group, hand and several anthropometric variables on static grip strength. A sample of 211 (128 male and 83 female) volunteers aged between 18 and 69 with various occupations participated in the study. Grip strength data were collected using a Jamar dynamometer with standard testing position, protocol and instructions. The mean and std deviation of maximum voluntary static grip strength values (in N) for dominant and non-dominant hands respectively were 455.2 ± 73.6 and 441.5 ± 72.6 for males, and 258 ± 46.1 and 246.2 ± 49.1 for females. The mean female strength was about 57% of the mean male strength value for both dominant and non-dominant hands. There was a curvilinear relationship of grip strength to age, significant differences between genders, hands, and some age-groups, and a correlation to height, body-mass, BMI and hand dimensions depending on the gender. The comparisons with the norms of other world populations indicate that there are cross-national grip strength variations among some nations but not all.

Physical fitness of young women: carrying simulated patients

An evaluation of physical fitness prior to employment appears to be mandatory for several occupations in order to protect the employee from overburdening and the employer from placing excess demands on the employee. One such occupation seems to be that of the field medical specialist who needs special physical strength since terrain conditions deny wheel-assisted transport of stretcher patients. The anthropometric and isometric force data of a total of 62 female and 48 male recruits for the medical service of the Bundeswehr were evaluated, together with their ability to carry a patient on a stretcher (weight = 14 kg) within a gymnasium. Initially the 'casualties' were simulated by sandbags weighing 60, 70, 80 and 90 kg each on stretchers; subsequently equivalent-weight water cans were used. The tests were administered at the beginning and at the end of the general Basic Military Training (BMT). While all males were able to carry the simulated 90 kg patient, only 22 out of 62 female recruits were able to do so at the beginning of BMT. At the end, the number had improved to 29 out of 55 women soldiers completing training. At the beginning of BMT 22.5% of the women soldiers were unable to rescue a simulated 70 kg patient; at the end of BMT the number had fallen to 18%. The isometric force values as measured revealed the hand grip strength as the best predictor for the capacity to carry simulated 90 kg patients. It is, therefore, suggested that a hand strength test be administered prior to field medical specialist training in order to channel unsuitable candidates into other training schemes.