Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiotherapy, CR4D Unit of Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
| [b] Department of Physiotherapy, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
| [c] Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Venkata Nagaraj Kakaraparthi, Lecturer, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Handgrip strength is considered an important interpreter of general health, and hand functions in children. It is mainly influenced by anthropometric determinants and hand dimensions. OBJECTIVE:To assess the handgrip strength and their association with anthropometric determinants, hand circumference, hand span, and hand length among school children in both the dominant and non-dominant hand. METHODS:Anthropometric measurements, hand circumference, hand span, hand length, and grip strength measurements were obtained from 133 school children of both genders aged 6–12 years. A Jamar hand-held dynamometer was used to measure handgrip strength and the hand dimensions with a tape measure in cm. RESULTS:Significant differences were found between the handgrip strength among boys and girls. The dominant hand was found to be sturdier than the non-dominant hand in both genders. We also found a significant correlation of anthropometric determinants and hand dimensions with handgrip strength. Age, BMI, hand circumference, hand span, and hand length had a strong correlation with grip strength (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:The study revealed the reference values and concluded its correlations with hand dimensions among school children aged 6–12 years and this information can serve as a manual for interpretation of handgrip strength measurements in children.
Keywords: Grip strength, hand circumference, hand span, hand length, schoolchildren
