Gender difference in handgrip strength of Italian children aged 9 to 10 years.

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.