Effect of self-selected handgrip position on maximal handgrip strength.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether participants were able to select the handgrip position on a Jamar hand dynamometer with which the maximal handgrip strength could be delivered, while sitting and while standing.


METHODS
A criterion standard comparison study.


METHODS
A university campus in the Netherlands.


METHODS
Fifty-six healthy subjects (30 men, 26 women; mean age, 30 y; range, 19-60 y) voluntarily participated. Interventions Not applicable.


METHODS
Maximal handgrip strength for the self-selected and non-self-selected handgrip position of the hand dynamometer (positions 2 or 3), while sitting and while standing.


RESULTS
The self-selected handgrip position resulted in the highest mean maximal grip strength compared with the non-self-selected handgrip strength, both for sitting (mean difference, 2.3 kg; P </=.001) and for standing (mean difference, 2.1 kg; P </=.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Both in sitting and in standing, participants were able to self-select the handgrip position on the hand dynamometer with which the maximal handgrip strength could be delivered. Therefore, it may be useful to introduce self-selection of the handgrip position in protocols to assess the maximal handgrip strength.
Boadella
Juliette M
JM
Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, AmCOGG, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Kuijer
P Paul
PP
Sluiter
Judith K
JK
Frings-Dresen
Monique H
MH
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged