Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Association between relative handgrip strength and glycemic control among male automobile manufacturing workers using vibration tools in South Korea: Dong-Jae Seo, Hyun Joong Kim, Yongjin Kim, Jaewon Mun, Jong-Han Leem, Shin-goo Park, Dong-Wook Lee, Hwan-Cheol Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2026;e14. Published online April 8, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e14 [Accepted]

Abstract PDF: Background
Although the association between handgrip strength and glycemic control has been reported, studies conducted exclusively within specific occupational groups remain limited. To explore the association between handgrip strength and metabolic health in industrial settings, this study examined the relationship between relative handgrip strength and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) among male automobile manufacturing workers using vibration tools in South Korea.
Methods
Using 66,212 occupational health examination records collected at Inha University Hospital between January 2024 and April 2025, a total of 3,365 workers with HbA1c and handgrip strength measurements were identified. After excluding duplicates (n = 1,536), female workers (n = 2), and records without Hb and eGFR, 1,823 male participants were included in the final analysis. Relative handgrip strength was calculated as the maximum value of bilateral grip strength divided by body mass index. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between relative handgrip strength and HbA1c, adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, current hypertension, current dyslipidemia, current hypoglycemic-agents use, family diabetes history, leisure-time physical activity, and resistance exercise.
Results
Relative handgrip strength was inversely associated with HbA1c levels (B: –0.060; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.081 to −0.039; p < 0.001). The association was strongest among normoglycemic participants (B: −0.185; 95% CI: −0.305 to −0.065; p = 0.003). Effect size was reduced but significantly associated among individuals with prediabetes (B: −0.115; 95% CI: −0.180 to −0.050; p < 0.001) and further attenuated to a borderline significance in individuals with diabetes (B: −0.023; 95% CI: −0.050 to 0.003; p = 0.082). These findings indicate that greater muscle strength relative to body size is related to better glycemic control.
Conclusions
Handgrip strength was associated with HbA1c levels in industrial workers. This study suggests that handgrip strength may provide complementary information on metabolic health in occupational settings.

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Original Article

Normative Data of Grip and Pinch Strength for Screening of Cumulative Trauma Disorders: Chung Yill Park, Hyeon Woo Yim, Jung Wan Koo, Byoung Yong Ahn, Young Mann Baag, Kang Sook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):362-378. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.362

Executing detailed examination for cumulative trauma disorders(CTD) for all the workers with repetitive operators is not desirable considering the cost-effectiveness. Screening test with subjective symptoms, physical examination and hand strength test to detect the proper subject for secondary detailed examination is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine normal values for grip and pinch(tip, lateral and palmar) strength to be used as a screening tool for CTD. Total of 1,018 healthy subjects without related past occupational or medical history were examined with Jamar dynamometer and pinch gage. Each hand was checked twice in a posture recommended by American Society of Hand Therapists, and higher value was accepted. The results were as follows, 1. The mean grip strength of right hand in right-handed man was 47.7 kg, and 27.2 kg in woman. The mean tip pinch strength of right hand in right-handed man was 6.2 kg, and 3.9 kg in woman. The mean lateral pinch strength was 9.0 kg in man, and 5.5 kg in woman. And the mean palmar pinch strength was 9.3 kg in man, and 6.9 kg in woman. There was no significant differences in dominant hand power according to the right or the left hand dominances. 2. Selecting 10 percentile value for screening criteria for CTD, 10 percentile value of trip strength was 38 kg in man and 20 kg in woman. And that of tip pinch strength was 4 kg in man and 2 kg in woman, lateral pinch strength was 6 kg and 4 kg each, palmar pinch strength was 6 kg and 5 kg each. 3. Grip and all three pinch strengths of man showed positive correlation with age, height and weight, but in the cases of woman, only grip strength showed positive correlation with height and weight. 4. In cases of right-handed persons, dominant hand showed higher grip strength compared to the contralateral hand in 70.9% of males, and 72.9% of females. And the mean differences of bilateral grip strength was 2.7 kg(5.2%) in male, and 1.7 kg(5.7%) in female. But in the cases of left-handed persons, dominant hand did not show the significant difference in strength compared to the contralateral hand.

Citations

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Comparison of Task Performance, Hand Power, and Dexterity with and without a Cock-up Splint
Moonyoung Chang, Nam-Hae Jung
Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2013; 25(11): 1429. CrossRef

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Original Article

Cervicobrachial Disorders of Female International Telephone Operators III. Grip Strenghth: Kyung Hwan Cho, Chung Yill Park, Seung Han Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1990;2(1):44-49. Published online February 28, 1990; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1990.2.1.44

Abstract PDF

The grip strength of both hands in 290 female international telephone operators were measured and the relationships between thd grip strength in the major hand and various variables, such as height, weight, age^ subjective symptoms, muscle tenderness, work duration and house work, were observed. The results were as follows: 1. Grip strength was signficantly higher in the rriapr hand than in ihe minor hand. 2. Significantly tower grip strength in the major hand was noted in the musculoskeletal complainants than En the non-complainants. 3. Grip strength in the major hand was signficantly lower In myalgia subjects than in others. 4. Grip strength in the major hand showed significant negative correlation with 'A' response on questionnaire items and number of tender points. 5. Grip strength in the mapr hand showed significant positive correlation with body weight. 6. According to stepwise multiple regression procedures, three major factors, namely, number of 'A' response on questionnaire items, number of tender points and body weight, explained only less than 7% of total variance of grip strength in the major hand.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

A Study on Factors Related to Grip and Pinch Strength among Estheticians
Jeong Hwa Kim, Young Gyu Phee, Sa-Woo Lee
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(4): 554. CrossRef
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korea and Japan: A Comparative Description
Eun-A Kim, Minori Nakata
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef

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