Comparability of force measurements obtained with different strain gauge hand-held dynamometers.

Abstract

With multiple hand-held devices now available for measuring muscle strength, clinicians need to know if the measurements obtained with the different devices are comparable. This study was performed to determine the comparability of force measurements obtained with two different strain gauge hand-held dynamometers. Specifically examined to establish comparability were differences, reliabilities, and correlations between measurements obtained with the different devices. Thirty-one healthy volunteers were tested with each device during a single session. The muscle groups tested isometrically were the elbow flexors, shoulder external rotators, and hip flexors. Although the magnitude of forces measured with the two dynamometers differed significantly, they demonstrated good to high reliabilities and correlations. Thus, the dynamometers should not be used interchangeably on the same patient. Either of the dynamometers, however, can be used (alone) to document muscle force production.