Background
Grip strength is an important measure which has a wide ranging array of clinical and research applications. While the development of normative values on an international spectrum is well established, more region-specific research is needed to help develop these normative values for specific populations. In New Zealand, such values have not been previously published, despite our unique socioeconomic climate and mix of ethnic groups.
This study seeks to determine normative values for grip strength within a NZ population, which will enable better interpretation of individual results from patients being assessed and treated on the basis of these within New Zealand.
Methods
Using data sourced retrospectively from a research database with pre-existing HDEC approval, grip strength measurements taken with consent from pre-operative patients attending for elective surgery at Manukau SuperClinic will be analysed (2000+ patients). Grip strength and lateral pinch strength for the non-operative hand in patients aged 18 and older will be included. Patients with disease or injury that could affect upper extremity strength on the non-operative hand, will be excluded.
Results
With the resulting data, we expect to obtain normative values via statistical analysis for defined age strata for both sexes, by hand dominance and by ethnicity in adults aged 18 years and over.
Conclusion/Discussion
We expect our outcomes will reflect the general trend for normative grip strength values by age, sex, hand dominance and ethnicity observed internationally, with some region-specific variance that may be attributable to our local demographic factors and will provide the foundation for further studies in this area to build on.