title: Handgrip prediction models for children, adults and the elderly.
abstract: This paper describes the development of a set of multiple linear regression equations for predicting maximal voluntary static handgrip strength of males and females, 5-89 years of age, in each hand. Equations are presented for predicting handgrip strength of the left and right hands from: (i) overall body descriptive variables alone--age, sex, body weight and stature, (ii) overall descriptive variables plus pinch strength variables, and (iii) pinch strength variables alone. A data set on 182 persons living in the United States was used for this study. Two-thirds of the observations were used to develop the models and the rest for validating them. Models were found with 3-5 variables, R2 ranging from 0.80-0.87, and root mean square error from 4.7-5.8 kg. Among the most common predictor variables that appeared in the models were: stature, age, sex, and the stronger pinches (chuck, lateral and pulp-2). Model validation indicated a greater tendency to over-predict left hand strength but no directional tendency for right hand strength. Also prediction accuracy (mean absolute percentage error) ranged from 14.9-21.0%, with about equal magnitudes in the two hands. The regression model coefficients were refined by recombining the data set of 182 observations and performing the appropriate regressions analysis.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA. imrhan@uta.edu
authors.forename: Sheik N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Imrhan
authors.forename: Nabeel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mandahawi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D052581:Pinch Strength; D055815:Young Adult