A New Method for Testing Isometric Muscle Strength under Standardized Conditions

Abstract

To obtain a high precision and a good standardization of measurements of maximal isometric muscle strength in man some older methods have been further developed. A special adjustable test chair was constructed and a new type of mechanoelectric force transducer (PRESSDUCTOR®, ASEA), was modified and mounted on different types of stands. The muscular strength of a great number of muscle groups was tested in 25 young healthy male volunteers. The test values obtained were compared to normal values earlier published. The new method has in our hands proved to be reliable and easy to perform, and to have a high degree of precision.

Key Words:

• Isometric muscle strength
• muscle
• muscle contraction
• physical examination