Grip Strength and Dexterity: A Study of Variance between Right- and Left-Handed Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Several studies have investigated grip strength between dominant and non-dominant hands. However, few studies have investigated dominance specific differences and considered dexterity.

This observational study investigated the differences in grip strength and dexterity of the dominant and non-dominant hands using a sample of 18 right- and 12 left-handed healthy individuals, and compared findings within and between these groups.

The Jamar® grip dynamometer and the Purdue Pegboard Test were used to measure grip strength and dexterity. Right-handed individuals demonstrated significant differences in grip strength and dexterity between the dominant and non-dominant hands (p=0.03 and p<0.01, respectively), while left-handed individuals did not (p=0.45 and p=0.29, respectively).

Between-group comparisons found that left-handed individuals were significantly more dexterous with their non-dominant hand compared with the right-handed group. Hand dominance appears to have a considerable effect on hand function and should therefore inform clinicians’ use and interpretation of functional hand assessments when testing right- and left-hand dominant patients.