Normative reference values on handgrip strength among healthy adults of Dhulikhel, Nepal: A cross-sectional study

CONTEXT: Handgrip strength (HGS) is the amount of static force that the hand can generate around the dynamometer and can be defined as the ability of the hand to hold the objects between the thumb and fingers. Handgrip measurement is simple but also a valid measure of overall muscle strength and also provides an objective index of functional integrity of upper extremity. AIMS: To provide population-based HGS reference values for Nepalese adults from 19 to 70 years of age. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dhulikhel community among 526 participants. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Jamar Dynamometer was used for measuring HGS based on the recommendation provided by the American Society of Hand Therapists. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using STATA version 14. RESULTS: Men exhibited higher HGS compared to women with maximum grip strength observed in age group of 19–29 which were 47.24 kg and 32.51 kg for men and women, respectively. HGS decreases with increasing age in both dominant and nondominant hands. CONCLUSIONS: The normative reference values provided in this study may serve as a guide for interpreting grip-strength measurements obtained from tested individuals.