الفهرس 
COVEROnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 108 |  |  |
| | | from | 108 | | |
Abstract
Reliable and valid evaluation of handgrip strength is of paramount importance in determining the effectiveness of various surgical or treatment procedures. In addition, normative data are needed to provide an objective index of the functional integrity of upper extremity, to interpret evaluation data, and to set realistic treatment goals.
This study was conducted to assess handgrip strength in Egyptian elderly population in comparison to younger adults. In the study, 618 subjects (300 males and 318 females), aged 25-85 years, were divided in 12 age groups each representing (6 - 9)% of the total number of participants, and were evaluated for handgrip strength using the Baseline pneumatic squeeze hand-held dynamometer.
Handgrip strength of the dominant hand has been measured for all participants in the study, while in a group that included 100 males and 100 females of different age groups, the handgrip strength value of the non-dominant hand was measured as well, in order to compare between both.
This study showed normative values of handgrip strength in different age groups of the Egyptian population. In older age groups (60-85 years) mean values of handgrip strength were found to be between (10.74-12.54) in males and, (9.45-11.12) in females. The study showed a negative correlation between handgrip strength and age. Handgrip strength peaked within the 25-49 age groups in males. In female groups, the peak was achieved in the 25-39 age groups.
The study also showed that males are stronger than females in terms of handgrip strength, and a high significant difference exists between handgrip strength of the dominant and non-dominant hands in all age groups, in both sexes, and age is inversely related to this difference in males only.
The study showed a non-significant correlation between handgrip strength and number of medical co-morbidities in older age groups.