Box 1 Procedure for performing handgrip strength [8,9,10,11,12,13]
From: Hand grip strength as a proposed new vital sign of health: a narrative review of evidences
Preparation: Ensure the participant is in a comfortable seated position with their feet flat on the floor and their arm resting on a flat surface. Some investigators have used other positions including standing, and found strength measurement to be similar to sitting position, while other have found higher HGS values in standing position [10]. A review of the measurement of grip strength in clinical and epidemiological studies: toward a standardized approach [11] | |
Shoulder position: The shoulder should be in a neutral position, and the elbow should be bent at 90 degrees | |
Wrist position: Wrist should be between 0 and 30° of dorsiflexion | |
Calibration: Before starting, make sure the dynamometer is calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure accurate measurements | |
Grip Position: Instruct the participant to hold the dynamometer in their hand so that the handle rests comfortably against their palm. The handle should be adjusted for a snug fit, neither too tight nor too loose | |
Grip Technique: The participant should be encouraged to grip the handle as firmly as possible without straining excessively. The four fingers should wrap around the handle, while the thumb rests on the other side. Ensure that the wrist is maintained in a neutral position | |
Measurement: Ask the participant to squeeze the dynamometer with maximal effort for about 3 to 5 s. During this time, encourage them to exert their maximum strength. The participant should avoid any sudden jerks or movements during the squeeze | |
Encouragement: “I want you to squeeze as hard as you can for as long as you can until I say stop”. (When the needle stops rising) | |
Rest Between Trials: Allow a brief rest period (about 1 min) between each trial to prevent muscle fatigue that could affect subsequent measurements | |
Repeat Measurements: Typically, three trials are conducted for each hand alternately. This provides a more accurate representation of the participant's handgrip strength. However, some investigators see one trial as equally reliable [12] |