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Spherical grip strength in children 3 to 6 years of age
1Occupational Therapy Department, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to establish normative data on spherical grip strength of children 3 to 6 years of age with the Martin Vigorimeter.
Method:
Two hundred twenty-five preschoolers in the Kalamazoo, Michigan, area were tested with standardized positioning and instructions. The mean of three trials for each hand was used as the grip-strength score. A repeated measure design was used and the right and left hands were alternated during testing to allow a 20-sec rest period between trials. Hand width also was measured in inches from the head of the second metacarpal to the head of the fifth metacarpal.
Results:
Hand width and grip strength were significantly correlated for both the right (p < .0001) and the left hands (p < .001). Grip strength increased linearly across all of the age groups (p < .001). The results of paired t tests did not show a significant difference in grip strength between the right and left hands or between boys and girls. A table of mean grip-strength scores and hand width measurements along with their standard deviations is presented for clinical use.
Conclusion:
The vigorimeter could be used to assess the grip strength of children with rheumatic disorders without putting excessive pressure on the joints or skin of the hand.