Abstract

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.

• Keywords: grip strength;major hand;subjective symptom;muscle tenderness