Maximal and explosive strength normative data for handgrip test according to gender: international standardization approach

Purpose. In daily living, hands are the basic organs for manipulative tasks of the human body, and they are specialized for various motor tasks with different physical object contact situations. Insufficient strength during aging constitutes a key component of sarcopenia and is associated with subsequent disability and mortality. The simplest and very valid test for assessing general strength is the handgrip test, and the need for international standards for grip strength seems very essential. The study aimed to set normative data for different handgrip strength dimensions in an international healthy adult community. Methods. The maximal muscle force and maximal explosive muscle force for dominant and non-dominant hand were examined across 838 subjects from 11 countries. The result values were compared with the internationally published findings for external validation. Results. The mean value for both hands maximal strength in an adult male was 997 ± 176 N for the absolute and 11.78 ± 1.95 N/kg for the relative measure; in females, the respective values equalled 550 ± 110 N and 8.49 ± 1.79 N/kg. The mean value for maximal explosive strength in an adult male was 6473 ± 1420 N/s for the absolute and 76.47 ± 16.22 N/s/kg for the relative measure; in adult females, the respective values equalled 3506 ± 915 N/s and 54.13 ± 14.38 N/s/kg. Conclusions. The normative reference values provided in this study may serve as an international guide for interpreting maximal and explosive handgrip strength measurements obtained from healthy adult individuals of both genders.