Grip strength in children: test-retest reliability using Grippit

Area of Science:

• Pediatric physical assessment
• Musculoskeletal function evaluation
• Biomechanical analysis in children

Background:

• Accurate grip strength measurement is crucial for assessing pediatric health and development.
• The Grippit instrument is increasingly used for grip strength assessment in children.
• Understanding the reliability of grip strength testing in different age groups is essential for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the test-retest reliability of the Grippit for measuring peak and sustained grip strength in children.
• To compare the reliability of single versus multiple trials (mean and best of three) for grip strength assessment.
• To analyze reliability across different age groups (6, 10, and 14 years).

Main Methods:

• A test-retest reliability study design was employed.
• Grip strength was measured twice in 58 children using the Grippit instrument.
• Statistical analyses included Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM%), coefficient of repeatability, and coefficient of variation.

Main Results:

• Good test-retest reliability was observed for both peak and sustained grip strength.
• The mean and best of three trials demonstrated comparable reliability.
• Reliability varied by age group, with higher reliability for 6- and 14-year-olds compared to 10-year-olds for peak grip strength.

Conclusions:

• Grip strength assessment using the Grippit provides good relative and absolute reliability in children.
• Recommends using three test trials for grip strength assessment in pediatric populations.
• The mean and best of three trials are equally reliable and suitable for clinical use.