How to measure grip strength correctly
A handgrip dynamometer is a device used to measure grip strength. Evaluating grip strength is useful not only for evaluating strength levels in the hands and arms, but also useful as an indicator for whole-body strength.
It's important to conduct a grip test correctly to make sure results are accurate, especially if results are used for diagnostic purposes such as evaluation of sarcopenia. For example, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (ESGSOP) categorizes grip strength of less than 27 kg for men and 16 kg for women as a cut-off point for sarcopenia risk.
Preparation
If dynamometer is digital, ensure batteries are fresh (or charged, if device uses rechargeable battery).
If device has springs that allow for training in addition to measurement, we recommend selecting a tensile level that is appropriately higher than subject's previous maximum. For example, if the subject's previous grip strength maximum was less than 30 kg, a 40 kg spring may be appropriate. If their previous maximum was less than 60 kg, a 80 kg spring may be appropriate.
Posture
There are two common postures for grip strength measurement:
1) Sitting
- The subject should sit in a chair with their back straight and feet flat on the floor
- The hand being tested should be at a right angle (90 degrees) with the elbow close to but not touching the torso
- The forearm should be in a neutral position with thumb facing up
2) Standing
- The subject should stand upright
- The hand being tested should be straight and fall to the side naturally
- The forearm should be in a neutral position with thumb facing forward
Measurement
- The subject should be instructed to squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible for about 3 seconds
- Remind the subject to maintain consistent effort, and not to use other parts of the body to generate additional force
Adjusting the Dynamometer
If the handle has different sizes available, select the one that fits the subject's hand size most appropriately. For example, if using the All-Age version of the MG4800 Digital Grip Dynamometer, the grip add-on can be used to create a larger grip span for adults.
Recording Results
- Observe and record the result
- Generally it's recommend to repeat the test two more times, with a short rest period (ex: one minute) between each attempt to control for muscle fatigue
- Most usage scenarios will use the highest value of all three attempts
If device has data transmission function, results can be transferred from device to receiver (ex: smartphone app). A guide explaining how to do so using the MG4800 Wireless Grip Dynamometer can be found here.
Comparison and Analysis
Compare results to normative data for the subject's gender, age, and other relevant data. In some cases, countries will release norms for their population to be used as standard benchmarks.
