HAND GRIP STRENGTH TEST
 

Equipment Required:

1. Cable tensiometer and associated handgrip apparatus, or
2. Handgrip dynamometer, or
3. Computerised digital pinch/grip analyser
4. Table or bench.

Procedure:

1. A maximum voluntary grip is performed on a pair of short parallel bars held between the flexed fingers and the palm, with counter-pressure being applied by the thumb. The subject is verbally encouraged to produce a maximum effort by squeezing the bars as hard as possible and maintaining the maximal effort for 2-3 seconds, all the time trying to increase it.

2. Reset the dynamometer to zero before use.

3. Adjust the handgrip dynamometer to fit the size of the subject's hand. The distance between the base and the handle of the dynamometer should approximate the distance between the base of the thumb and the base of the first digit.

4. The subject stands with the heels, buttocks and back resting against a wall.

5. Set the pointer reading to zero.

6. Have the subject grip the dynamometer vertically above the head. When ready the subject grips as hard as possible while moving through a 180 degree arc (in the anterioposterior plane) to the count of three. The arm remains locked and straight at the elbow throughout the grip manoeuvre.


7. Record the score in the data entry screen and repeat for the other hand.


[Reference: Stoelting (1970)]