Aims: The aim of the study was to describe the natural course of handgrip strength development in primary school children and to establish a reference material to be used in future screening studies. In addition, the study aims to investigate a possible association between handgrip strength and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Anthropometric measures along with results for handgrip strength, endurance tests, blood pressure and cholesterol were measured on 2272 children of both sexes. An ROC analysis was used to estimate the suitability of handgrip strength as a predictor for known cardiometabolic risk factors. Results: A reference material for handgrip strength is presented for boys and girls aged 6–12 years. The results indicate that handgrip strength is unsuitable as a predictor for cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Conclusions: The results may be used as reference values for handgrip strength in 6–12-year-old children of both sexes. Handgrip strength may not be used as a screening tool for cardiometabolic risk factors in pre-pubertal children.
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