Isometric and Isokinetic Grip Strength in Normal Young Subjects: A Preliminary Study

The purposes of this study were to find the normal range of grip strength in normal young subjects and the relationships of grip strength to sex and hand dominance. Gripping strength of 38 subjects (17 male, 21 female) were evaluated by isometric and isokinetic models at two different loading rate (180°/sec, 30°/sec). The isometric torque of the dominant hand is greater than that of the non-dominant hand (p=.000) in both genders. Male has nearly twice the isometric torque to that of female. The isokinetic torque of male subjects is also greater than that of female subjects (p=.000); especially in the slow loading rate of the non-dominant hand. In the dominant hand, isokinetic torque in slow speed is greater than that in fast speed (p=.000), and for non-dominant hand, there is no significant difference between two speed (p=.087). The results of this study provide a data base for grip strength in Chinese young adults. The isokinetic muscle tests can measure the dynamic muscle strength and thus can reflect muscular capability used in daily activities.