Hand anthropometry and its relation to grip/pinch strength in children aged 5 to 13 years

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the development level of children’s physiological hand shape indicators and their relationship with grip/pinch strength. METHODS: Hand shape and grip/pinch strength in 1255 Chinese children aged 5 to 13 years were prospectively measured. Development curves of physiological hand shape indicators and grip/pinch strength were constructed. RESULTS: The physiological hand shape indicators (full length, middle finger length, width, and wrist thickness) and grip/pinch strength of boys and girls increased with age and showed statistically significant differences at different ages. In most age groups, hand shape indicators and grip/pinch strength were larger in boys than in girls of the same age. After puberty, the physiological hand shape indicators and grip/pinch strength increased more rapidly in girls than in boys of the same age, and the differences gradually decreased thereafter. Moreover, a significant difference in pinch strength between the right and left hands was observed in most age groups. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the physiological hand shape indicators were significantly positively correlated with grip/pinch strength, height, weight, and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the relationship between physiological hand shape indicators and grip/pinch strength and provided reference ranges of physiological hand shape indicators and grip/pinch strength for children.