Grip and Quadriceps Strength : Normative Values in the Thai Population

Abstract

A study of grip strength of the dominant hand and quadriceps strength in the Thai population was carried out. Seven hundred and forty four healthy volunteers, 265 males and 479 females with a mean age of 44 ± 13 years old, were evaluated by using a hand dynamometer and a leg dynamometer. The mean grip strength of males was 45.2 ± 8.2 kg, significantly greater than of females which was 28.5 ± 5.6 kg. The mean quadriceps strength of males was 25.4 ± 4.4 kg was also significantly greater than of females which was 16.9 ± 4.2 kg. The elderly population had significantly decreased grip strength which was 39.9 ± 6.4 kg for males and 23.8 ± 5.2 kg for females and likewise had significantly decreased quadriceps strength which was 22.2 ± 4.4 kg for males and 15.0 ± 3.5 kg for females. In a stepwise linear regression, grip strength was positively correlated with sex, quadriceps strength and height but negatively correlated with age. Whereas quadriceps strength was positively correlated with grip strength, height, body mass index, sex and absence of knee pain but negatively correlated with age. These normal values will be beneficial in helping to determine early neuromuscular impairment affecting hand function and mobility as well as in therapeutic goal setting for training in rehabilitation.