Article
Reference values for extremity muscle strength obtained by hand-held dynamometry from adults aged 20 to 79 years

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9993(97)90005-8Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective and Design: Only a few studies have provided reference values for muscle strength obtained by hand-held dynamometry. Such values are essential for establishing the degree to which an individual's strength is impaired. This descriptive study was conducted to provide reference values for the strength of 10 extremity muscle actions.

Subjects and Instrumentation: A convenience sample of 106 men and 125 women volunteers was tested twice with an Ametek digital hand-held dynamometer.

Results: The measurements were found to be reliable. Predictive equations are provided for the measurements. Reference values generated are expressed in Newtons and as a percentage of body weight and are organized by gender, decade of age, and side.

Conclusions: The values can be employed in a clinical setting to document whether an individual is impaired relative to healthy subjects of the same gender and age.

References (31)

  • RW Bohannon et al.

    Association of paretic lower extremity muscle strength and balance with stair climbing ability in patients with stroke

    J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis

    (1991)
  • RW Bohannon

    Determinants of gown donning performance soon after stroke

    Eur Phys Med Rehabil

    (1992)
  • J Perry et al.

    The relationship of lower extremity strength and gait parameters in patients with post-polio syndrome

    Arch Phys Med Rehabil

    (1993)
  • MA Marciello et al.

    Wrist strength measured by myometry as an indicator of functional independence

    J Neurotrauma

    (1995)
  • KE Ensrud et al.

    Correlates of impaired function in older women

    J Am Geriatr Soc

    (1994)
  • WC Beasley

    Influence of method on estimates of normal knee extensor force among normal and post polio children

    Phys Ther Rev

    (1956)
  • S Schwartz et al.

    Relationship between two measures of upper extremity strength: manual muscle test compared to hand-held myometry

    Arch Phys Med Rehabil

    (1992)
  • JB Wikholm et al.

    Hand-held dynamometer measurements: tester strength makes a difference

    J Orthop Sports Phys Ther

    (1991)
  • RW Bohannon et al.

    Measurements of knee extension force obtained by two examiners of substantially different experience with a hand-held dynamometer

    Isokinet Exerc Sci

    (1992)
  • E Bäckman et al.

    Isometric muscle force and anthropometric values in normal children aged between 3.5 and 15 years

    Scand J Rehabil Med

    (1989)
  • E Bäckman et al.

    Isometric muscle strength and muscle endurance in normal persons aged between 17 and 70 years

    Scand J Rehabil Med

    (1995)
  • RJO van der Ploeg et al.

    Hand-held myometry: reference values

    J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

    (1991)
  • RJO van der Ploeg et al.

    Measuring muscle strength

    J Neurol

    (1984)
  • CM Wiles et al.

    Laboratory testing of muscle function in the management of neuromuscular disease

    J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

    (1990)
  • Cited by (548)

    • The relative activation of pelvic floor muscles during selected yoga poses

      2023, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text