A review of the measurement of grip strength in clinical and epidemiological studies: towards a standardised approach
Abstract
Background the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People has developed a clinical definition of sarcopenia based on low muscle mass and reduced muscle function (strength or performance). Grip strength is recommended as a good simple measure of muscle strength when 'measured in standard conditions'. However, standard conditions remain to be defined. Methods a literature search was conducted to review articles describing the measurement of grip strength listed in Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases up to 31 December 2009. Results there is wide variability in the choice of equipment and protocol for measuring grip strength. The Jamar hand dynamometer is the most widely used instrument with established test-retest, inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. However, there is considerable variation in how it is used and studies often provide insufficient information on the protocol followed making comparisons difficult. There is evidence that variation in approach can affect the values recorded. Furthermore, reported summary measures of grip strength vary widely including maximum or mean value, from one, two or three attempts, with either hand or the dominant hand alone. Conclusions there is considerable variation in current methods of assessing grip strength which makes comparison between studies difficult. A standardised method would enable more consistent measurement of grip strength and better assessment of sarcopenia. Our approach is described.
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DBT components could be particularly relevant for individuals with Parkinson's disease, especially in addressing frustration, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties in social interaction.
“These components could be particularly relevant for individuals with PD, especially in addressing frustration, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties in social interaction (Roberts et al., 2011).”
From A Systematic Review of Third-Wave Therapies to Reduce Distress and Improve Wellbeing and Quality of Life in People with Parkinson's Disease. (2025) · cites this paper as Roberts et al., 2011
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- Authors
- Roberts, H. C., Denison, H. J., Martin, H. J., Patel, H. P., Syddall, H., Cooper, C., & Sayer, A. A.
- Affiliations
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Roberts, Helen C.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Age and Ageing
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2011-07
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 423-429
- ISSN
- 0002-0729 (ISSN-L)
- 1468-2834
- OpenAlex
- W2159294672
- Cited by
- 3,001
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 296 · 2025: 318 · 2024: 307 · 2023: 300 · 2022: 315 · 2021: 290 · 2020: 290 · 2019: 198 · 2018: 195 · 2017: 156 · 2016: 107 · 2015: 90 · 2014: 73 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 18
- FWCI
- 4.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Age and Ageing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (ACF-2008-26-006, NF-SI-0508-10082)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Frailty in Older Adults
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Keywords
- grip strength, sarcopenia, muscle strength assessment, hand dynamometer, measurement standardization, test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, older adults
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Aged, Aging, Equipment Design, Humans, Predictive Value of Tests, Prognosis, Severity of Illness Index, Reproducibility of Results, Geriatric Assessment, Observer Variation, Hand Strength, Muscle Strength Dynamometer, Sarcopenia
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