Measurement of Adult Hand Strength: A Comparison of Two Instruments

Abstract

The purpose of this study was (a) to compare the Jamar Dynamometer, which is widely used to test hand strength, with the Vigorimeter, a commercially available but less well known instrument and (b) to establish norms for use of the Vigorimeter. A total of 486 adults ranging in age from 16 to 79 were tested for right- and left-hand strength using both devices. Correlations between the two instruments were moderately strong, suggesting reasonable comparability. Correlations for strength and age, although statistically significant, were so low as to be of little practical use. However, correlations between right- and left-hand strength were strong, and right- to left-hand ratios that were developed for both instruments were found to be accurate and stable in predicting hand strength across age ranges.