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Relationship of handgrip strength with anthropometric and body composition variables in prepubertal children
Insights
Body height and forearm girth are key predictors of handgrip strength in children aged 8-11. Lean body mass and bone mineral content also significantly influence grip strength, with boys showing greater dependency on these factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physiology
- Human biomechanics
- Sports science
Background:
- Handgrip strength is a crucial indicator of overall health and functional capacity.
- Understanding factors influencing handgrip strength in children is vital for growth and development monitoring.
- Previous research has explored anthropometric correlates of handgrip strength, but specific insights into prepubertal children are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between handgrip strength and various anthropometric, body composition, and bone mineral measures in prepubertal children.
- To identify key predictors of handgrip strength in this age group, differentiating by sex.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 64 children (8-11 years old).
- Measurements included basic anthropometrics (height, mass, BMI), hand anthropometrics, body and hand composition (DXA), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC).
- Maximal handgrip strength was measured using a dynamometer, and stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed.
Main Results:
- Body height was the most significant predictor of handgrip strength, particularly in boys.
- Forearm girth also significantly predicted handgrip strength across all groups.
- Hand lean mass (LBM) and bone mineral content (BMC) were identified as crucial factors, with boys exhibiting a stronger association between anthropometric/compositional variables and handgrip strength.
Conclusions:
- Body height, forearm girth, specific limb lengths (midstylion-dactylion, acromiale-radiale), hand lean mass, and hand bone mineral content are primary determinants of handgrip strength in prepubertal children.
- Sex differences exist in the relationship between anthropometric/body composition variables and handgrip strength.
- These findings provide valuable insights for assessing and potentially enhancing physical development in children.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship of handgrip strength with basic anthropometric variables, hand anthropometric variables, total body and hand composition, total body and hand bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in prepubertal children aged between 8 and 11 years (n=64, 27 boys, 37 girls). Height and body mass were measured and body mass index (BMI kg/m2) was calculated. Biceps and triceps skinfolds, arm relaxed, arm flexed, forearm and wrist girths, acromiale-radiale, radiale-stylion-radiale and midstylion-dactylion length and humerus breadth were measured. Specific hand anthropometric variables according to Visnapuu and Jürimäe [2007. Handgrip strength and hand dimensions in young handball and basketball players. J. Strength Cond. Res. 21, 923-929] were used. Five fingers' spans, fingers' lengths and perimeters of the hand were measured. Total body and right-hand fat percentage, fat mass and lean mass (LBM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Right-hand BMC and BMD were analysed from the bone variables. Maximal handgrip strength of the right hand was measured with the hand dynamometer. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the most important predictive value from the basic anthropometric variables was body height, explaining 76.1% (R2 x 100), 40.7% and 50.6% of the handgrip strength in boys, girls and total group, respectively. Measured skinfold thicknesses and breadths were not related to handgrip strength in any group. Forearm girths significantly predicted handgrip strength in boys (30.8%), girls (43.4%) and total group (43.4%). As a rule, handgrip strength was more dependent on the anthropometric and body composition variables in boys than girls. It was concluded that body height, forearm girth, midstylion-dactylion and acromiale-radiale length and hand LBM and BMC are the most limiting factors influencing handgrip strength in prepubertal children.
