3rd meeting of young researchers at UP 1 - IJUP - Universidade do ...

Hand grip strength in 11 to 15 years old Portuguese children.
H. Carreira 1 , T. F. Amaral 2 , C. Brás-Silva 3 , B. M. P. M. Oliveira 4 and N. Borges 5 .
1,2,3,4,5 Faculty of Food and Nutrition Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
2 Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
Introduction: The hand grip strength is an objective method to evaluate the upper members’
integrity [1]. Since the muscle force is correlated, it is used as a general health indicator [2].
This method is simple, cheap, fast and, most important, reliable [2,3]. It is also used in
childhood. The hand grip strength is generated mostly by type II muscle fibers, so it is related
with anthropometric parameters such as weight and height and reflects the age dependent
development of skeletal muscles [4]. Comparative data about grip strength values in healthy
children offers the opportunity to research and diagnose diseases that interfere with grip force.
The aim of this study was to determine average values of children hand grip strength by age
(11- to 15- years old) and evaluate its relation with weight and height.
Material and Methods: The instrument used to measure hand grip strength was the Jamar
Hydraulic Hand® dynamometer. The dynamometer was previously calibrated. Sample is made
by 214 children of either gender, with ages between 11 and 15 years old. Weight and height
were also measured. The measurements were made in a standardized position recommended by
the American Society of Hand Therapy.
Results: Statistical significant differences were observed in hand grip strength between
genders. Boys are, in all ages, stronger. Moderate correlations were found between grip
strength and age (R=0.727, p