Reliability and Validity of Different Models of TKK Hand Dynamometers.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the reliability and validity of the analog and digital models of TKK handgrip dynamometers using calibrated known weights.


METHODS
A total of 6 dynamometers (3 digital and 3 analog; 2 new and 1 old for each model) were used in this study.


RESULTS
Intrainstrument reliability was very high; systematic error for test-retest reliability was ≤|0.3 kg|. The systematic error among different instruments (same model) and between different models (digital vs. analog) ranged between |0.4 kg| and |0.6 kg|. The systematic error between new and old dynamometers ranged from |0.8 kg| to |1 kg|. All dynamometers provided lower values for the same known weights than a SECA scale, with a systematic error ranging from -0.94 to -2.64 kg.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that clinicians and investigators who provide treatment to address handgrip strength should use the same instrument and model for repeated measures. Distinguishing meaningful change from dynamometer variability is discussed.
Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, MSc; Guillermo Sanchez-Delgado, MSc; Borja Martinez-Tellez, MSc; and José Mora-Gonzalez, MSc, are PhD Students, PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity) Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; address correspondence to cadenas@ugr.es.
Cristina
C
Cadenas-Sanchez
Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, MSc; Guillermo Sanchez-Delgado, MSc; Borja Martinez-Tellez, MSc; and José Mora-Gonzalez, MSc, are PhD Students, PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity) Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; address correspondence to cadenas@ugr.es.
Guillermo
G
Sanchez-Delgado
Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, MSc; Guillermo Sanchez-Delgado, MSc; Borja Martinez-Tellez, MSc; and José Mora-Gonzalez, MSc, are PhD Students, PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity) Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; address correspondence to cadenas@ugr.es.
Borja
B
Martinez-Tellez
Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, MSc; Guillermo Sanchez-Delgado, MSc; Borja Martinez-Tellez, MSc; and José Mora-Gonzalez, MSc, are PhD Students, PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity) Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; address correspondence to cadenas@ugr.es.
José
J
Mora-Gonzalez
Marie Löf, PhD, is Senior Researcher, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Marie
M
Löf
Vanesa España-Romero, PhD, is Lecturer, Department of Physical Education, School of Education, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain.
Vanesa
V
España-Romero
Jonatan R. Ruiz, PhD, and Francisco B. Ortega, PhD, are Senior Researchers, PROFITH Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain, and Senior Researchers, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Jonatan R
JR
Ruiz
Jonatan R. Ruiz, PhD, and Francisco B. Ortega, PhD, are Senior Researchers, PROFITH Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain, and Senior Researchers, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Francisco B
FB
Ortega