New Methods to Quantify Functional Strength for Young Children: Laboratory and Task Design Considerations

Strength data for children are needed to improve the safety of products. Currently, minimal information on strength is available for children under age 6 years. This paper describes the development of methods to measure functional, task-relevant strength for children ages 24 to 71 months. Strength measurement methods used for adults and older children must be adapted substantially to obtain meaningful data from this younger cohort. This paper discusses the challenges associated with gathering volitional, maximal force-generation capability for this age cohort with attention to applicability, repeatability, and reproducibility.