Relations between quantitative ultrasound assessment of calcaneus and grip and key pinch power in Japanese mountain village residents.

PURPOSE: It seems to be important to recognize bone health condition using a simple method in Japanese super-aged society. The aim of our study was to investigate whether grip and key pinch strength were associated with bone quality. METHODS: Medical examinations were conducted of 337 adult residents (123 men, 214 women; average age of 64.7 years) of a mountain village. Bilateral grip and key pinch strength were measured. The sound of speed (SOS) of calcaneus was assessed using an ultrasound bone densitometer. Study participants were divided into non-osteoporotic and osteoporotic groups according to the relevant WHO classification to evaluate statistical significance by age-adjusted analysis. Stepwise linear regression was used to identify the predictor of SOS using the following factors as explanatory variables: age, height, weight BMI, grip and key pinch power strength in bilateral side. A P value of < .05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: In age-adjusted analysis, significant associations were found between osteoporosis and BMI (OR 0.87, 95%CI 0.80-0.95), gender (OR 3.21, 95%CI 1.83-5.62), grip strength (right side:, OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.92-0.98; left side: OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.98) and key pinch strength (right side: OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.65-0.88; left side: OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.68-0.91). In stepwise linear regression, age and left key pinch strength were predictors of calcaneal SOS (age ß coefficient = -0.46, P = .00; left key pinch strength ß coefficient = 0.17, P = .0049). CONCLUSIONS: Key pinch strength assessment might be useful to predict calcaneal SOS in general population.

Relationship between grip, pinch strengths and anthropometric variables, types of pitch throwing among Japanese high school baseball pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Grip and pinch strength are crucially important attributes and standard parameters related to the functional integrity of the hand. It seems significant to investigate normative data for grip and pinch strength of baseball players to evaluate their performance and condition. Nevertheless, few reports have explained the association between grip and pinch strength and anthropometric variables and types of pitch throwing for baseball pitchers. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to measure and evaluate clinical normative data for grip and tip, key, palmar pinch strength and to assess the relationship between these data and anthropometric variables and types of pitch throwing among Japanese high-school baseball pitchers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred-thirty three healthy high school baseball pitchers were examined and had completed a self-administered questionnaire including items related to age, hand dominance, throwing ratio of type of pitch. A digital dynamometer was used to measure grip strength and a pinch gauge to measure tip, key and palmer pinch in both dominant and nondominant side. Body composition was measured by the multi frequency segmental body composition analyzer. RESULTS: Grip strength and tip and palmer pinch strength in dominant side were statistically greater than them in nondominant side (P < 0.05). There were significant associations between grip strength and height (r = 0.33, P < 0.001), body mass (r = 0.50, P < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.37, P < 0.001), muscle mass of upper extremity (r = 0.56, P < 0.001), fat free mass (r = 0.57, P < 0.001), fat mass (r = 0.22, P < 0.05) in dominant side. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that fat free mass and tip, palmer, key pinch strength were predictors of grip strength in dominant side. No statistical significant correlations were found between the throwing ratio of types of pitches thrown and grip strength and tip, key, palmar pinch strength. CONCLUSIONS: Our result provides normative values and evidences for grip and pinch strengths in high school baseball pitchers.