From the Guidelines
The typical Filipino grip strength is approximately 21 kg, as indicated by a recent study 1. This value is based on the mean muscle mass: Handgrip strength (kg) found in the study, which reported a mean handgrip strength of 21 kg. It's essential to consider that grip strength can vary depending on factors such as age, gender, occupation, and overall health status. For instance, Filipinos who engage in manual labor or regular strength training may demonstrate higher grip strength values compared to those with sedentary lifestyles. Grip strength is an important indicator of overall muscle function and health, with lower values potentially associated with increased risk of disability and mortality in older adults. Some key factors that can influence grip strength include:
- Age: Grip strength tends to peak in early adulthood (20s to 30s) and gradually declines with age.
- Occupation: Manual labor or regular strength training can contribute to higher grip strength values.
- Physical activity level: Regular exercise and physical activity can help maintain or improve grip strength.
- Overall health status: Certain health conditions or nutritional deficiencies can impact grip strength. Regular resistance training and proper nutrition can help maintain or improve grip strength throughout life, which is crucial for overall health and quality of life, as supported by the study 1.
From the Research
Typical Filipino Hand Grip Strength
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies do not specifically address the typical Filipino hand grip strength.
Available Data on Hand Grip Strength
However, the available studies provide data on hand grip strength for various populations:
- A study published in the Journal of geriatric physical therapy 2 provides grip strength values for US adults aged 50 years and older, stratified by gender, age, and number of chronic diseases.
- A study published in The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy 3 provides normative reference values and equations for hand-grip strength in US residents aged 18 to 85 years.
- A study published in the European journal of applied physiology 4 provides data on hand-grip strength in young men, women, and highly trained female athletes.
- A study published in The Journal of hand surgery 5 provides reference values for grip strength in healthy Caucasian adults, spanning a wide age range.
- A study published in the Journal of hand therapy 6 provides normative maximum grip strength data for men and women aged 20 to 64 years, separated into nine five-year age groups.
Key Findings
Some key findings from these studies include:
- Grip strength values decrease with age and are generally higher in males than females 2, 3, 5, 6.
- Hand-grip strength is correlated with lean body mass and anthropometric variables such as forearm circumference and length, hand size, or body mass 4, 5.
- Prediction equations for grip strength can be generated using variables such as gender, age, height, weight, and hand dominance 5, 6.