Hand grip strength is an indicator of general muscle strength that is measured using a hand dynamometer. It may reflect the patient’s general health, physical activity, or even aging. Moreover, it may be an effective tool for prediction of upper extremity trauma outcomes, postoperative results, and as an index of nutritional status.
Subjects squeeze the hand and a manometer with maximal isometric effort to maintain this for approximately 3 seconds. The handle of the dynamometer adjust to several positions to account for different handstands. For most patients handle position 2 will give themost accurate grip strength.3
The Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer metered is one of a number of different branches to measure grip strength. It is a reliable invalid instrument that serves as a reference standard for validation studies.
DESCRIPTION
Have the individual sit with their shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated, elbow flexed at 90º, forearm in neutral position, and wrist between 0º and 30º dorsiflexion and between 0º and 15º ulnar deviation. Set the JAMAR® Hand Dynamometer to the second handle position from the inside. Lightly hold around the readout dial to prevent inadvertent dropping. After the individual is positioned properly, say, “Squeeze as hard as you can...harder!...harder!...relax.” Record the scores of three successive trials for each hand tested. The average score of the three trials can be compared to the normative data on the left, which is in pounds.
