Grip Strength
What It Measures
Grip strength is the force a person can generate squeezing a handle, measured with a hand dynamometer and recorded in kilograms or pounds. It is quick, objective, and repeatable, which is why it shows up in hand therapy, stroke rehab, and geriatric assessment alike.
It is also read as a proxy for something larger. Grip strength correlates with overall upper extremity strength and, in older adults, with frailty and general health status. The catch is that a number only means something if the position was standardized: seated, shoulder at the side in neutral rotation, elbow at 90 degrees, forearm neutral, arm unsupported, with the dynamometer handle in the second position. Three trials are averaged.
Additional Notes
Learn More: Three protocol details determine whether a score can be read against norms. Use the same handle position every time and document it — normative data uses position two. Average three trials rather than taking the bes
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