Background:

A low hand grip strength is a prognostic factor both in healthy people and hospitalized subjects. Local normal hand grip strength values are needed to define cutoff points of abnormality.

Aim:

To measure handgrip strength in Chilean people aged 20 to 70 years and propose normal values for healthy people in this age range.

Material and Methods:

Handgrip strength was measured using a JAMAR hydraulic dynamometer in 436 males and 465 females aged 20 to 70 years and who were free of disease. They were recruited from waiting rooms in several public and private hospitals and outpatient clinics, under self-evaluation of inclusion criteria.

Results:

The variability of the handgrip strength in women was smaller in than men. Tables containing handgrip strength values by age and sex and the ranges between three standard deviations were prepared.

Conclusions:

This study contributes with normal handgrip strength values in Chile to be used for the diagnosis and management of various conditions, such sarcopenia, obesity, oncological patients, Intensive Care Unit acquired weakness (ICU-aw) and weaning of mechanical ventilation.