Grip and Pinch Strength: Norms for 6- to 19-Year-Olds

TLDR

The study aimed to establish normative data for grip and pinch strength in children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years. Grip strength was measured with a Jamar dynamometer and tip, key, and palmar pinch with a pinch gauge in 471 participants (231 males, 240 females) from the Milwaukee area using standardized positioning and instructions. Strength increased with age, males exceeded females across all ages, hand dominance had no significant effect, and the resulting norms were slightly higher than those from prior American and Australian studies.

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to establish normative data for 6- to 19-year-olds on four tests of hand strength. The Jamar dynamometer was used to measure grip strength and a pinch gauge was used to measure tip, key, and palmar pinch. A sample of 231 males and 240 females from the seven-county Milwaukee area was tested, using standardized positioning and instructions. Results of this study indicate that increases in grip and pinch strength coincide with increases in chronological age, that males are stronger than females in all age groups, and that hand dominance does not significantly affect hand strength scores. Normative data collected in this study were slightly higher than norms from previous American and Australian studies.