【はじめに】近年，子ども達の身体機能・運動能力が変化してきている。しかし，幼児の体力測定に関する報告はあまり見当たらない。本研究では幼児の握力をはじめ，身体機能との関連について測定・分析をすることを目的としている。
【対象と方法】対象は５歳児82名で，握力をはじめ咬合力，立ち幅跳び，両足跳び越し，足把持力，体支持持続時間，25m走の体力測定を行った。結果に関して単相関分析・重回帰分析を用いて検討した。【結果】単相関分析の結果，握力と咬合力・両足跳び越し・足把持力・体支持持続時間・25m走の５項目に有意な相関がみられた。さらに，ステップワイズ重回帰分析により，握力と独立して関連する因子として抽出されたのは，咬合力と体支持持続時間であった。【まとめ】幼児の握力は，咬合力と体支持持続時間に関連が認められたことから，上半身の機能との関係が強いことが示唆された。この結果から，握力測定は幼児の体力・身体機能測 定方法として使用できる可能性が考えられた。

【Introduction】The physical function of children has changed over the past few years. However, few studies appear to have measured the physical fitness of preschool children. The aim of the current study was to determine and analyze the relationship between the grip strength and physical function of young children. 【Subjects and Methods】Subjects were 82 5-year-olds. Grip strength, occlusal force, and toe grip strength were measured, and physical fitness was measured via a standing long jump, twolegged hopping, how long one can support one’s own weight with the arms, catching a ball, and a 25-m dash. Results were assessed using univariate and multiple regression analysis. 【Results】Univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between grip strength and 4 items: occlusal force, performance on the 25-m dash, two-legged hopping, and how long one can support one’s own weight with the arms. In addition, multiple regression analysis identified occlusal force and how long one can support one’s own weight with the arms as related factors independent of grip strength. 【Conclusion】The grip strength of preschool children was found to be related to occlusal force and how long one can support one’s own weight with the arms, suggesting that grip strength is closely related to upper body function. Based on this finding, grip strength could be used as a way to measure the physical function of preschool children.