Grip strength measurement in older adults in Taiwan: A comparison of three testing positions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of three commonly used positions on grip strength measurement in older people. A total of 249 (113 women, 136 men) older participants, 72.8 ± 6.5 years old, participated in this study. Grip strength (kg) was measured in three positions: (i) the standard posture (sitting, elbow flexed 90°) suggested by the American Society of Hand Therapists; (ii) standing, elbow flexed 90°; and (3) standing, elbow fully extended. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed that grip strength was significantly greater in the standing position with the elbow fully extended than in the other two positions. The grip strengths obtained from the three positions were not all comparable in our community-dwelling older adults. Clinicians and researchers need to be cautious when choosing testing position for assessing and interpreting grip strength results obtained from these positions.