Long-term effects of playing on a hanging ladder on active and passive grip strength in elementary school children

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of playing on a hanging ladder for a long period on active and passive grip strength in elementary school children. Sixty-three children (mean age = 9.2 yr) were assigned to training (male = 14, female = 17) and control (male = 14, female = 18) groups. The children in the training group played on the hanging ladder for 5 to 10 min 5 days per week for 7 months. Active and passive grip strength, and upper and forearm girth were measured in both groups almost monthly during the playing period. The percentage of children who succeeded in hanging from the ladder in the training group increased from 50% to 77% in boys and from 70% to 90% in girls between the start and finish of the playing period. The movement times of ladder hanging in these subjects were significantly shortened in boys and girls during the playing period. No significant differences were found in active grip strength,or upper and forearm girth, but significant differences were found in passive grip strength between the training and control groups at end of the playing period. It appears that playing on a hanging ladder for a long period increases passive grip strength, and is useful for developing emergency evacuation ability in elementary school children.