Normative data for hand grip strength in healthy children measured with a bulb dynamometer: a cross-sectional study

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 0.52psi (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.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Dynamometer; Grip strength.