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Gender difference in handgrip strength of Italian children aged 9 to 10 years
Tiziana Montalcini1, Yvelise Ferro2, Maria Antonietta Salvati3
1Nutrition Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Grecia, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy. tmontalcini@unicz.it.
Insights
Handgrip strength differs significantly between 9-10-year-old Italian boys and girls, with boys exhibiting greater grip force. Age, BMI, and gender are key factors influencing this difference in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Anthropometry
- Nutritional Status Assessment
Background:
- Handgrip strength (HGS) is a key indicator of nutritional status and health in young populations.
- Existing research shows HGS differences between genders in adults and adolescents, but not clearly in younger children.
- Data on HGS reference values for Italian schoolchildren is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference values for HGS in healthy Italian schoolchildren aged 9-10 years.
- To investigate gender-based differences in HGS at this age.
- To identify factors influencing HGS in this specific pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 137 Italian schoolchildren (66 boys, 71 girls) aged 9-10 years was recruited.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) and Handgrip Strength (HGS) were measured.
- HGS was assessed using a hydraulic hand dynamometer.
Main Results:
- A significant difference in HGS was observed between genders (boys: 15.2 ± 3.0 kg; girls: 13.8 ± 4.0 kg; p=0.04).
- Univariate analysis revealed HGS was associated with age, BMI, height, weight, and gender (all p < 0.001, except gender p < 0.04).
- Multivariate regression confirmed age, BMI, and gender as significant correlates of grip force.
Conclusions:
- Significant gender-based differences in HGS exist in 9-10-year-old Italian children.
- Gender appears to be a primary influencer of HGS at this age.
- This study provides crucial reference data for HGS in Italian children, addressing a gap in current literature.
Background:
Handgrip strength is an index of nutritional status which correlates to morbidity and mortality in young. It differs in adults and adolescents between gender. However, it is no clear whether a difference exists also in children aged 9 to 10 years, and which are the factors influencing it. Furthermore, data of Handgrip strength of Italian schoolchildren are lacking. Aim of this study was to provide Handgrip strength value from a sample of healthy Italian schoolchildren aged 9 to 10 years and to determine which factors affect grip strength at this age.
Methods:
We enrolled 137 children (boys n =66; girls n = 71) who underwent a body mass index and Handgrip strength measurement. Handgrip strength was assessed by an hydraulic hand dynamometer.
Results:
The mean handgrip strength value was 13.8 ± 4.0 for girls and 15.2 ± 3.0 kg for boys (p = 0.04) thus, we found a significant difference between gender. We have not found a significant differences in anthropometric parameters between gender. In the univariate analysis Handgrip strength was associated with age, BMI, height, weight and gender (p < 0.001 for age, p < 0.001 for BMI, p < 0.001 for height, p < 0.001 for weight and p < 0.04 for gender). The Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that age, BMI and gender were all correlated to grip force.
Conclusion:
We found a significant difference in grip strength between healthy Italian schoolchildren aged 9 to 10 years. This parameter seems to be primarily influenced by gender. Our investigation is important since currently data regarding the reference values of HGS for Italian children are lacking.
