======Handgrip Strength Test======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Grip Dynamometer Test
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Gather a calibrated handgrip dynamometer, data sheet, and a timer; record age, sex, hand dominance, height, and body mass.
  - Adjust the grip so the handle rests across the middle of the fingers and the base sits on the heel of the palm.
  - Instruct the subject to stand or sit tall with shoulders relaxed; set the elbow either at ~90° by the side or in the standardized position your protocol specifies.
  - Ask the subject to take a breath, then squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible without swinging the arm or using the body for leverage.
  - Maintain the maximal squeeze for about 3–5 seconds while the tester observes for compensations.
  - Release, rest at least 15–30 seconds (longer if needed), then repeat.
  - Perform 2–3 trials per hand; alternate hands if testing both.
  - Record the best value for each hand and note the protocol and position used; optionally compute the average or compare dominant vs non-dominant sides.



====Links==== 
Grip Strength Protocol - Measurement & Evaluation Techniques: 
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Grip Strength Testing with a Dynamometer - Physical Therapy Education Solutions: 
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📄 Handgrip Strength Test - Topend Sports: [[https://www.topendsports.com/testing/tests/handgrip.htm]]\\


====Variations====
  * Arm position changes (elbow at 90° by the side, arm hanging by the side, or standardized shoulder flexion) depending on the chosen protocol.
  * Squeeze duration set to 3 seconds (e.g., Eurofit) instead of 5 seconds.
  * Older-adult protocols (e.g., one practice trial, best of three with ~30 seconds rest).
  * Report formats: dominant-hand only, best of either hand, or average of both hands.
  * Seated versus standing posture; specify wrist angle (neutral versus slight extension) for consistency.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Screen for recent hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder injury before testing.
  * Ensure the dynamometer is calibrated and the grip size is adjusted to avoid strain.
  * Use a stable stance or seated position to prevent loss of balance during maximal effort.
  * Instruct “no breath holding” in at-risk populations to reduce Valsalva-related blood pressure spikes.
  * Stop immediately if there is pain, tingling, or dizziness.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why test both hands rather than just the dominant hand? (Dominance affects results; testing both can reveal asymmetries of clinical or sport relevance.)
  * How does body position influence scores? (Changes in shoulder/elbow/wrist angles alter leverage and muscle recruitment, affecting measured force.)
  * What does a large left–right difference suggest? (Possible dominance effects, injury history, or neuromuscular imbalance that may warrant follow-up.)
  * Why standardize squeeze time and rest intervals? (Consistency improves reliability and allows valid comparison to norms.)
  * Are handgrip scores a good proxy for whole-body strength? (They correlate with general strength but do not replace muscle-group–specific tests.)