The influence of ethnic differences based on upper limb anthropometry on grip and pinch strength

Anil K Bhat, Raman Jindal, Ashwath M Acharya, Anil K Bhat, Raman Jindal, Ashwath M Acharya

Abstract

Background: Ethnic differences in upper limb anthropometry have significant variations which can influence surgical outcomes and rehabilitation. We hypothesize that there would be a significant difference in the anthropometry based on ethnicity and gender which will reflect on objective measurements.

Methods: We performed 13 anthropometric measurements of the upper limb, grip and three types of pinch strength in 210 volunteers across seven ethnicities in young adults at our university campus. We compared them statistically based on ethnic and gender differences.

Results: There was a significant correlation noted between grip, palmar and tip to tip pinch strength in 12 of the 13 anthropometric measurements. Key pinch correlated with eight parameters. Mean grip and pinch strength are noted to be more in males and from developed nations across all ethnicities.

Conclusions: This study shows that there is significant variation between the anthropometric measurements based on gender and ethnicity which correlates with differences in grip and pinch strength.

Keywords: Anthropometry; Ethnic differences; Grip strength; Hand measurements; Pinch strength; Racial differences.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

© 2021 Delhi Orthopedic Association. All rights reserved.

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