A comparison of dominant and non-dominant hand strengths

This study compares dominant and non-dominant hand strength in both right- and left-handed participants. Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the fi rst dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle, power grip strength and pulp-to-pulp pinch strength were assessed under carefully controlled conditions. No sign ificant differences were observed between dominant and non-dominant hands i n left-handed participants for all tests. Small but significant differences (0.1-3%) were observed between dominant and non-dominant hands in right-ha nded participants for all three tests. These differences,were much smaller than those reported in other studies. Furthermore, considerable variability was observed in the relative strengths of the two hands for each participa nt. We conclude that clinicians must be cautious when using the '10% rule' to make comparisons between injured and uninjured hands.