Factors associated with grip strength among adolescents: An observational study

Abstract

Study design: Cross-sectional.

Introduction: The muscle strength has been studied in different populations in relation with individual and other factors.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to determine values of grip strength in adolescents and to examine its association with sex, age, weight, height, nutritional status, handedness, and academic performance.

Methods: A total of 452 adolescents (246 men and 206 women) aged 12 to 17 years were included in the study. Grip strength was measured using a Takei dynamometer.

Results: Boys were significantly stronger than girls with both the dominant hand (33.1 kgf vs 25.0 kgf; mean difference = 8.1 kgf; P < .001) and the nondominant hand (30.9 kgf vs 23.1 kgf; mean difference = 7.8 kgf; P < .001), and there was a significant increase in strength values as the age rises in both sexes (P < .001). The dominant hand was stronger than the nondominant one (29.4 kgf vs 27.3 kgf; mean difference = 2.1 kgf; P < .001), except for left-handed subjects who were significantly stronger than right-handed ones in their nondominant hand. Furthermore, strength was positively associated with nutritional status and negatively associated with academic performance in men.

Conclusions: Sex, age, handedness, nutritional status, and academic performance have a significant influence on the grip strength values. There seems to be a sexual dimorphism in the relationship between strength and both nutritional status and academic performance.

Keywords: Adolescent; Functional laterality; Hand strength; Muscle strength dynamometer; Nutritional status.