Original Research Influence of hand dominance, gender, and body mass index on hand grip strength

Mercy A. Agtuahene, Jonathan Quartey, Samuel Kwakye

About the author(s) Mercy A. Agtuahene, Department of Physiotherapy, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
Jonathan Quartey, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Samuel Kwakye, Department of Physiotherapy, West Africa Football Academy, Sogakope, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Hand grip strength (HGS) measurements serve as an objective measure of upper extremity function. Reliable hand strength evaluation is vital for assessing treatment effectiveness.

Objectives: To determine the influence of hand dominance, gender, and body mass index (BMI) on HGS among university students in Ghana.

Method: In our cross-sectional study of 304 participants, height, weight, and BMI were measured using a stadiometer and weighing scale. Hand grip strength was assessed with a dynamometer. We compared HGS in dominant and non-dominant hands for males and females using a paired t-test and analysed the correlation between grip strength and weight, height, and BMI using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results: The mean HGS for right-hand dominant (RHD) male participants was 35.62 kg (± 7.36) for the right hand compared with 32.84 kg (± 7.36) for the left hand. For females RHD the mean HGS in the right hand was 24.60 kg (± 6.42) compared to 22.12 kg (± 5.37) in the left hand. The mean weight, height and BMI of participants were 62.86 kg (± 10.30), 1.67 m (± 0.09) and 22.9 kg/m2 (± 4.9), respectively. A significant relationship existed between HGS and height (r = 0.492; p < 0.01) as well as HGS and BMI (r = 0.290; p < 0.01). However, no notable connection was found between HGS and weight (r = 0.001; p = 0.982).

Conclusion: Hand grip strength was significantly stronger in the dominant hand of both males and females.

Clinical implications: Physiotherapists should test HGS objectively and quantitatively for use in disease evaluation, diagnosis, and therapy.

Keywords

hand grip strength; hand dominance; body mass index; dynamometer; non-dominant hand

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 4: Quality education

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