Related Experiment Videos
An exploratory look at hand strength and hand size among preschoolers
Jane Bear-Lehman1, Michelle Kafko, Liana Mah
1Department of Clinical Occupational Therapy, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. jpb1@columbia.edu
Insights
Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric occupational therapy
- Child development research
- Human kinesiology
Background:
- Hand strength and size are crucial for fine motor skills and daily activities in children.
- Understanding typical development is essential for identifying potential developmental delays or issues.
- Limited data exists on grip and pinch strength norms for preschool-aged children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish baseline data for grip strength, pinch strength, and hand size in 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children.
- To explore relationships between hand strength, hand size, age, and gender in this age group.
Main Methods:
- Grip strength measured using a Jamar dynamometer.
- Lateral pinch strength measured using a Jamar pinch gauge.
- Study included 81 typically developing children aged 3-5 years from diverse NYC communities.
Main Results:
- Hand strength and hand size significantly increase with age from 3 to 5 years.
- Five-year-olds demonstrated superior grip and pinch strength and larger hand sizes compared to 3- and 4-year-olds.
- No significant gender or preferred hand differences in hand strength were observed.
Conclusions:
- Age is a significant factor in the development of hand strength and size in preschool children.
- This study provides normative data valuable for pediatric assessments.
- Further research could explore factors influencing hand strength development.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to develop an initial understanding about grip strength, pinch strength and hand size in normally developing 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children. This study also investigated whether there were relationships among lowing variables: hand strength, hand size, age, and gender. A Jamar dynamometer was used to measure grip strength, and a Jamar pinch gauge was used to measure lateral pinch strength. The study population consisted of 81 preschool children from culturally an economically diverse communities in New York City. Hand strength and hand size were found to increase with each age level. The 5-year-olds were strongest in grip and pinch ability and had larger hands than the 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds. There was no statistically significant difference observed between the boys and the girls or the preferred hand in terms of hand strength.