Arm span and hand length: Reliable indices of stature estimation

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Human height is a sexually dimorphic trait that can be estimated using various anthropometric indicators.Materials and Method: The study cohort which comprises of 500 (250 men and 250 women) healthy subjects who fall within theage range of 20 and 49 years, were selected randomly. Their standing stature, weight, hand length and arm span were measured.Results: Findings reveals that Height of male subjects was significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to that of females, the meanarm span values of male subjects were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to that of females. Mean arm span values wasobserved to exceed stature. A strong positive correlation value of r=0.431 for males, r=0.747 for females was obtained in thisstudy between the height and arm span parameters. The mean hand length of males was significantly (p<0.05) higher compared tothat of the females. A strong positive correlation value between the height and hand length parameter r=0.093 for males, r=0.442for females was also obtained. A regression formula of height for males was Height=52.78 + (0.64) Arm span and for females,Height=61.2 + (0.59) Arm span was deduced. Conclusion: Arm span and Hand length are useful racial markers and will be ofclinical and forensic anthropological significance when dealing with the study population. This study shows that though both armspan and hand length can be used in estimation of the height of males and females, arm-span remains the most reliable. Theregression equations can be used in amputees or dead accident victims and can be applied in medicolegal issues with accurateresults.