title: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Ribeirao Preto Medicine School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Angélica
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: Ribeirao Preto Medicine School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cyntia Rogean
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: de Jesus Alves de Baptista
authors.affiliation: Ribeirao Preto Medicine School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Michele Mataruco
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Baranauskas Benedicto
authors.affiliation: Ribeirao Preto Medicine School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tatiana Maciel
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Pizzato
authors.affiliation: Ribeirao Preto Medicine School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: acms@fmrp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Ana Cláudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Mattiello-Sverzut
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D012016:Reference Values
keywords: Adolescents; Children; Dynamometer; Grip strength