Methods for Measuring Maximal Isometric Grip Strength during Short and Sustained Contractions, Including Intra-rater Reliability

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to develop methods for measuring maximal isometric grip strength during short and sustained contractions in a laboratory setting, and to evaluate the test-retest reliability of these methods in short- and long-term perspectives. Eleven healthy men and women were assessed on four occasions. Maximal voluntary isometric grip strength (MVC) was measured in standardized and optional positions, and sustained maximal isometric strength (SMVC) in the standardized position. The results indicated that three trials in a session might be insufficient to obtain a true measure of MVC. The within-session and test-retest reliability of the described multi-trial procedure was considered satisfactory. The mean score of the last three trials tended to show the highest short-term and long-term variability. There were no clear differences between scores obtained in standardized and optional positions. The standardized position seemed more consistently to yield higher test-retest reliability and lower variability over time. The described method for measuring SMVC, expressed as area and peak score, had high test-retest reliability and an acceptable degree of short-term and long-term variability. The time taken to reach the peak score was not a reliable measure.

Reference values of intrinsic muscle strength of the hand of adolescents and young adults

“…For our protocol, 2 trials of each intrinsic measure were performed by considering the feasible time that we asked from each volunteered participant and the existed protocols and acceptable reliability of muscle strength assessment from 2-trial averaged results. 24–29 If a protocol deviation was observed during testing, such as slippage of the device sling, a third trial was recorded. The third trial measurement replaced the result of the failed attempt and was used for further analysis.…”

Test-Retest Intra-Rater Reliability of Grip Force in Patients With Stroke

“…According to Lagerström's & Nordgren's study (8) a standardised procedure with a fixed test position is more reliable than for example an optional position. This is also one conclusion in a review of one hundred and thirty-one articles by Innes (9).…”

A comparative study of the Jamar® and the Grippit® for measuring handgrip strength in clinical practice

“…It has been claimed in earlier studies that the reliability varies depending on what measures are compared [7]. In a study conducted by Lagerström and Nordgren [10] the maximal measure of MVC was just as reliable as the mean MVC. In the present study the correlation coefficients between max MVC and mean MVC only differed by a few hundredths.…”