Children with Low Handgrip Strength: A Narrative Review of Possible Exercise Strategies to Improve Its Development

Abstract

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a predictor of health in both children and adults. Evidence suggests that without a possible strategy, children with low HGS may become adults with low HGS. However, little is known about what strategies are effective for children with low HGS to achieve a higher baseline level in adulthood. This narrative review aimed to investigate whether physical exercise interventions could improve HGS in children. Methods: The relevant databases/search engine was searched using keywords related to the main topics discussed throughout this review. Results: Our findings suggest that it may not be possible to improve HGS over that observed from normal development with physical education or traditional resistance-training programs. However, if the training program includes exercises that directly stimulate the forearm/hand muscle groups to grip, it may be possible to obtain changes in HGS that exceed the changes due to normal developmental growth. Conclusion: Although there are associations between HGS and markers of health, no research could be identified that examined whether increasing HGS would lead to an improvement in health. If an increase in HGS really does represent an improvement in long-term health, then gripping exercise may need to be included into physical activity programs during the growth/development phase.