Objective: A Smedley hand dynamometer is one of the standard devices for measuring handgrip strength (HGS) for children and adults. The aim was to compare the HGS values using two different types of dynamometers (Grip-A or Grip-D) in young children. To enable comparison between the two devices, we have redesigned the Grip-D (i.e., modified Grip-D).
Methods: Twenty-five preschool children (10 girls and 15 boys) performed maximal voluntary HGS in the right hand using two different types of dynamometers. We ran a paired sample t-test on the difference in HGS between the two devices.
Results: The measured values of HGS were 9.95 kg for Grip-A and 8.56 kg for modified Grip-D, and the difference between the two devices [1.39 (SD 0.65) kg] was greater than we expected (95% limits of agreement: 0.11, 2.6 kg). Thus, we then calibrated both dynamometers ourselves using known weights. The measured values were corrected if there was an error between the known weight and each dynamometer. Following adjustment, there was still a statistical difference (p < 0.001) in HGS between Grip-A [10.65 (SD 1.52) kg] and modified Grip-D [9.98 (SD 1.85) kg]. However, the difference between the two devices was 0.67 (SD 0.69) kg with the 95% limits of agreement between -0.68 and 2.0 kg.
Conclusion: It is concluded that the HGS values of children measured with the company-calibrated new Grip-A and modified Grip-D could provide reasonably close estimates.
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