Association of grip strength with anthropometric measures: Height, forearm diameter, and middle finger length in young adults

Abstract

Grip strength is routinely utilized in wide range of clinical setting as a physiological variable that is affected by a number of factors. We examined the relationships of forearm circumference, middle finger length, height, and BMI with handgrip strength measured among a group of young adults. This is a cross-sectional design among 517 young adults. Data was collected on one occasion using a hand held dynamometer for grip strength of dominant and non-dominant hands, commercial-scale for weight; tape measure for height, self report for age and gender. Forearm circumference, middle finger length and height showed significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) with grip strength across both the dominant and non-dominant limb. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between BMI and grip strength for both limbs (P > 0.05). In determining age and gender specific nomogram as well as assessing intervention outcomes for handgrip strength in young adults, anthropometrics of forearm circumference, middle finger length and height should be considered.