TY - JOUR T1 - Isometric muscle strength in children and adolescents using Handheld dynamometry: reliability and normative data for the Brazilian population JO - Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy T2 - AU - Daloia,Lígia Maria Tezo AU - Leonardi-Figueiredo,Marisa Maia AU - Martinez,Edson Zangiacomi AU - Mattiello-Sverzut,Ana Claudia SN - 14133555 M3 - 10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.04.006 DO - 10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.04.006 UR - http://www.rbf-bjpt.org.br/en-isometric-muscle-strength-in-children-articulo-S1413355517305877 AB - ObjectiveIsometric muscle strength measured by Handheld dynamometer indicates physical ability. There is no normative data for the Brazilian population. This study aims (a) to describe the development of isometric muscle strength in healthy children and adolescents 5–15 years of age; (b) to evaluate Handheld dynamometer inter and intra-rater reliability. MethodsIsometric muscle strength was obtained for shoulder abduction, elbow and knee flexion and extension, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion in 55 boys and 55 girls, aged between 5 and 15 years. Inter-rater reliability was determined based on the evaluation of 2 raters, with a 20-min interval between them. Intra-rater reliability was based on 2 evaluations from the same rater, one week apart. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1; 3,1), Bland Altman plots and linear regression models with mixed effects were used to quantify inter and intra-rater reliability, agreement and associations with physical activity level and maturational factors. ResultsA linear development of isometric muscular strength was observed for ages between 5 and 10. After age 10, boys showed a larger isometric muscular strength, when compared to girls. Both inter and intra-rater measurements of the Handheld dynamometer are reliable (ICC>0.63). ConclusionsThis study shows increase in isometric muscle strength starting at 10 years of age for boys, when compared to girls and inter and intra-rater reliability for the assessment of isometric strength, using the Handheld dynamometer for the muscle groups tested on the dominant and non-dominant side, for children between 5 and 15 years of age. ER -