Grip and Arm Strength in Males and Females, Age 10 to 69

Abstract

More than 6,000 males and females, age 10 to 69 in a total community, Tecumseh, Michigan, were given grip and arm strength tests. Eighty-two percent of the entire community were in the age range studied and participated in the study. Of this 82%, almost all persons without medical contraindications took the strength tests. Percentile scores for both sexes within narrow age ranges are presented. In most populations in which strength has been measured over a wide age range, the participants were volunteers; hence, it is not possible to define the population. Because of the high participation rate, the Tecumseh sample includes those who ordinarily would volunteer for strength tests, but, also those who generally would not. Therefore, the percentile scores presented probably more nearly represent arm and grip strength in healthy males and females than other data which has been published.