Abstract
Objective
To present the normative hand grip strength values measured with a bulb dynamometer for children, by gender and age, and to correlate the findings with weight, height, body composition and handedness.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Participants
Data from 295 healthy children of both genders aged 6 to 13 years were analysed.
Methods
Weight, height, body composition (Biodynamics model 450 bioimpedance analyser), handedness (Edinburgh scale) and grip strength measured with a bulb dynamometer (North Coast) were obtained.
Results
Grip strength of both hands increased with age in the two genders. Grip strength was similar in boys and girls between 6 and 13 years of age. The dominant hand was stronger than the non-dominant hand [mean (standard deviation) 7.0 (2.3) psi vs 6.5 (2.1) psi], with a mean difference of 0.52 psi (95% confidence interval of the difference 0.46 to 0.58). Grip strength was positively correlated with fat-free mass and height (r ≥ 0.75).
Conclusion
This study provides normative values for hand grip strength measured with a bulb dynamometer in children aged 6 to 13 years. This dynamometer provides a simple method to measure grip strength, and the results of this study provide further evidence of its performance in the measurement of grip strength.
Citation
Normative data for hand grip strength in healthy children measured with a bulb dynamometer: a cross-sectional study de Souza, Mariana Angélica et al. Physiotherapy, Volume 100, Issue 4, 313 - 318