Strong hands and forearms are a vital part of a strong body because it does not matter how strong the rest of your body is if you cannot hold on to things. Measure your grip strength, with a muscle strength test, to determine the maximal isometric strength of your hand and forearm muscles. The most common equipment for measuring handgrip strength is a dynamometer; which is a spring-loaded, hand-held, measurement device, that costs approximately $200, according to Google Product Search.
Testing Position
Set the handle grip on the dynamometer to its second setting and comfortably hold the measurement device with the hand you would like to test. Sit upright in a chair and then move your arm that is holding the dynamometer toward your body, adduct your shoulder, flex your elbow to 90 degrees, position your forearm parallel to the ground and extend your wrist between 0 and 30 degrees. Rest the arm you are not testing on your knee or to your side.
Standard Testing Procedure
While in the proper testing position, squeeze the dynamometer with your hand, applying as much force as you can. Check the gauge needle to determine how many pounds of pressure you are exerting and record your grip strength score. Repeat the test three times with each hand but take a short rest in between each handgrip assessment. Take the average of your three scores or record your highest contraction value.
Validity and Reliability
A dynamometer strength test is a valid and accurate measure of maximal handgrip force, signifying your maximal isometric contraction. The test can be used to monitor the effect of strength training over a period of time. As long as you conduct your assessment strictly and have enough motivation to correctly perform the test, this equipment will provide a consistent and stable measurement of your handgrip strength.
Warning
Healing tissues may be damaged by this grip strength test. Consult your doctor before you perform the test if you have any upper extremity injuries.
References
- "Fundamentals of Hand Therapy: Clinical Reasoning and Treatment Guidelines"; Cynthia Cooper; 2007
- "Australian Occupational Therapy Journal"; Reliability and Validity of Indices of Hand-Grip Strength and Endurance; S. E. Reuter; 2011
- Google Product Search; Search for Stuff to Buy; 2011
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