Assessment of Overall Muscle Strength in Children and Adolescents Using Handheld Dynamometry: A Systematic Review of Reference Values and Quality of Data.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Muscle strength is a vital indicator of the development and health-related fitness in children and adolescents, and it also plays a crucial role in clinical assessments across pediatric rehabilitation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the available literature on handheld dynamometry (HHD) assessments of the overall muscle strength in the pediatric population, focusing on measurement protocols, validity and reliability, and the availability of reference and normative data. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Web of Science. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024537557). Eligible studies (2005-2023) included healthy participants under the age of

SUBMITTER: Karagianni E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12693157 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature