Isometric muscle torque in children 5 to 15 years of age: Normative data

Objective: To establish reference values of arm and leg muscle strength as measured by isometric torque production in healthy children. Design: Measurement of isometric muscle strength in healthy children. Setting: Public school. Participants: Healthy children (N=149; 76 boys, 73 girls) ages 5 to 15 years. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Isometric torque values of 12 arm and leg muscle groups of healthy children as measured by a handheld dynamometer. Results: Normative data were obtained for children 5 to 15 years of age. There was an increase in torque with age and weight and a strong correlation with both age and weight. There were few differences between boys and girls. Equations for predicted torque taking into account age, weight, and sex were calculated. The agreement between examiners was excellent. Conclusions: Studies on growing children require comparison to healthy (normal) children to assess the amount of deviation from normal and to be able to draw conclusions of change over time. The reference values for torque in combination with a predicted value based on the child's age, weight, and sex make it possible to compare over time and between subjects and provide a tool for evaluation of physical status and efficacy of therapy.