A Preliminary Study to Explore Muscular Strength and Neuromuscular Control Differences in Elementary-aged Children

Abstract

This study explored differences in muscular strength (MusS) and neuromuscular control (NC) among elementary-age children in various demographics. Second-, third-, and fourth-grade children (n = 248; males n = 121; females n = 127) were selected from two Texas public schools. A nonrandomized cross-sectional approach was used to evaluate two unilateral strength tests (Dynamometer Grip and Single-Leg Three-Hop), two bilateral strength tests (Push-Up and Vertical Jump), and one neuromuscular control test (Side Step). The children improved as they advanced in grade on the unilateral grip test (p < .001), the unilateral hop test (p < .001), and the neuromuscular control test (p < .001). Males outperformed females on the unilateral grip test (p = .002), unilateral hop test (p < .001), and vertical jump test (p < .001). White children outperformed Hispanic children on the unilateral grip test (p = .007) and the push-up test (p < .001). The only MusS interaction showed that second-grade boys scored the highest on the push-up test (p < .001). An NC difference was found for grade (p < .001), showing that children's mean sidestep scores improved as the grades advanced. These findings suggest regular MusS and NC testing in children and a more comprehensive look at the demographic factors that influence the physical activity disparities in children's MusS and NC development.