Normative Reference Value for Hand Grip Strength and Sit and Reach Test among School Age Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric physical assessment
• Growth and development studies
• Biometrics in children

Background:

• Hand grip strength (HGS) and flexibility are crucial indicators of children's physical development.
• Establishing normative data is essential for monitoring child health and functional status.
• Culturally specific reference values are needed for accurate assessment in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine normative reference values for HGS and sit-and-reach test (SRT) in Dhulikhel, Nepal school children (6-12 years).
• To investigate the relationship between HGS, SRT, age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 359 typically developing children aged 6-12 years.
• HGS measured using a TKK dynamometer; flexibility assessed via the sit-and-reach test.
• Descriptive statistics used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in HGS observed based on age and gender; males exhibited higher HGS.
• HGS showed a progressive increase with age (p < 0.01).
• Flexibility did not significantly vary with age or gender (p > 0.10). BMI correlated moderately with HGS (r ≈ 0.49) and weakly with flexibility (rho = 0.037).

Conclusions:

• The study provides essential, culturally relevant normative data for HGS and flexibility in Nepalese children.
• Findings highlight the influence of age and gender on HGS, and BMI's association with strength.
• These reference values can aid in evaluating physical fitness and developmental trajectories in children.