Anthropometric and body composition characteristics associated with handgrip strength in children and adolescents. A scoping review

Abstract

Handgrip strength is a robust indicator of the biological health of children and adolescents.

Objectives: to identify the anthropometric characteristics and body composition related to handgrip strength, and to describe the main characteristics of the protocols used for its evaluation.

Methodology: A scoping review was developed; the search was carried out in 1.) Medline; 2.) Web of Science; 3.) Science Direct; 4.) Scielo; and 5.) EBSCO’s Sportdiscus. Original investigations were included if they have handgrip strength data, anthropometric characteristics, and body composition.

Results: 59 reports published between 2005 and 2020 were selected. Among them, nutritional classification was the most studied characteristic (n = 25; 42.3%), followed by body mass index (n = 23; 38.9%). In 47.5% (28 reports), the number of tests performed on each individual to estimate the handgrip strength value was not clear. The dynamometer brand Takei Scientific Instrument Co. Ltd. was the most used, with 49.2 %. The most widely used indicator was absolute handgrip (86.4%, 51 reports).

Conclusions: There is a wide variety of protocols used for handgrip strength assessment with variations in body position, arm and hand selection, number of repetitions, and intervals between measurements. A proportional pattern of values was found between absolute handgrip strength and body mass index, Σ skinfolds, however, when adjusted by mass (relative handgrip strength), the relationship is inverse.