Children’s norm for hand grip strength: A preliminary study

Abstract: Hand grip strength was investigated in normal children residing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this study 831 school children (448 boys and 383 girls) whose age ranged from 4 to 15 years participated. Grip strength was measured using a Smedley's hand dynamometer. Standardized positioning and instructions were followed. Subjects exerted one maximal effort with their right and left hands. The result showed that grip strength scores increased with an increase in age. A difference was noted in right arm or left arm maximum grip strength between boys and girls for same age groups. Right arm grip strength was found to be greater than that of the left's (in some cases) for children of the same age. Boys had greater grip strength than girls (in majority of the cases ) for the same height or weight. Linear regresional equation for right arm grip strength versus body mass index was formulated. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1998;12(2):75-79