Relationship and comparison of selected anthropometric measures to muscular endurance and strength in children aged 3-5 years

This study investigated the relationships and differences between grip strength, hang time (upper body muscular endurance), sum of skinfold measures, body weight and height among 103 children 3-5 years of age. The results indicated that the only significant (P < 0-05) difference between groups on skinfold was at the umbilical site, where the 3-year-olds' measurements were larger than the 4- or 5-year-old group. All strength and body weight measures increased with age and in each case were significantly (P < 0-01) different between groups. Analysis of the correlation matrix representing key variables revealed no correlations which could be regarded as high practical indicators; thus it was concluded that body weight, height, and selected skinfold measurements were not practical indicators of grip strength and muscular endurance.