1

Running Head: HANDGRIP STRENGTH EXPERIMENT

The Innovative Hand Gripper

Shubh Patel
Harrison High School
August 2019
 2
Running Head: HANDGRIP STRENGTH EXPERIMENT

Literature Review

A recent study was conducted to find an effective clinical outcome tool for hand and wrist

functions with boxing using a Takei dynamometer (Gatt, Smith-Moore, Loosemore, and

Steggles, 2018). The researchers were trying to explore a reliable outcome measurement tools

with the Takei dynamometer to test hand and wrist pathology with an amateur boxing club. The

data was collected from the Great Britain Physiotherapy injury records with 160 participants;

129 male, 31 female. From those 160 participants, they were grouped into 2 separate injury

categories: hand and wrist. The Takei Dynamometer was performed in specific positions, such as

standing and arm by their side with full extension and with both arms. While being tested, all

measurements were performed alternatively 3 times without any rest. After that testing, the

participants were asked to squeeze the dynamometer for approximately 3 seconds. Then the data

was recorded. From the testing there was no significant difference between the left and right grip

scores. Furthermore, it was also statistically proven from the study that was no difference

between grip strength when measured at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of elbow flexion. The study had

finally concluded that the Takei dynamometer is a valid and reliable outcome measure tool for

hand and wrist pathologies in boxing. From this study, I had learned about how I will be able to
 3
Running Head: HANDGRIP STRENGTH EXPERIMENT
interpret my baseline data that I will test and see the difference in the exercise that I used verses

the exercises that they used.

Another research study was conducted to measure grip strength by high precision dynamometry

( J. Y., 2015). The study tried to assess the reliability of various measurements with the Myogrip

and Jamar dynamometers to help provide maximal isometric grip. The study was also trying to

identify an “innovative” handgrip dynamometer from a metrological standpoint and can the

dynamometer establish normative data with the strength that is being tested. For the testing of the

study, all subjects were healthy from ages 5-80. The subjects had taken 2 tests: the 1st practical

test and an optional test which 77 people participated in all procedures were the same). For the

test, all subjects had seated on an adjustable seat for a right angle at the hip, knee, and ankle

joints with legs being flat on the ground. After the first two trials being recorded with both

dynamometers, with 2-4 second interval contractions which produce maximal grip strength

(MGS), with a 30-second interval rest. Throughout the entire process, the research group had

believed that the myogrip was the “innovative” tool that would help improve one's MGS for

elderly people. When the subjects were testing the Jamar dynamometer, the right-handed

subjects were significantly stronger on their right side, while no difference between sides could

be detected in left-handed subjects. With this study using an “innovative” tool that would help

grip strength, I could relate this to my project by trying to create another type of modality for

grip strength scenarios.

 4
Running Head: HANDGRIP STRENGTH EXPERIMENT

Another study was recently done to help examine the reliability and validity of a new grip device

called the Multi-Axis Profile(MAP) (Irwin, C. B., & Sesto, M. E., 2010). The MAP

dynamometer is a device that measures grip strength(pressure) when squeezing a rubber bulb.

The reliability of this instrument has studied the device has been criticized as being a highly

dependent device interface. The study had included 28 right-handed dominant participants. The

MAP dynamometer was a three-beam design affixed with a 6.35cm cylindrical plastic cover. All

participants had used the handle, a sized cover was accommodated to the subject’s hand for

proper strength. Afterward, “ participants were instructed to “squeeze the handle as hard as you

can and build up force as quickly as possible and hold for 5 seconds”.”(Irwin, C. B., & Sesto, M.

E., 2010). From the study, the researchers had concluded that the MAP dynamometer has both

higher reliability and validity. The reliability of the MAP grip strengthener had a range between

0.95 to 0.99 from the hand within the 28 participants which shows the strength of the

right-handed subjects.

Another research study was gathered to identify optimal handle position for maximal handgrip

strength(HGS) using the handgrip dynamometer(HGD) for school-aged children(Gąsior,

Pawłowski, Williams, Dąbrowski, Rameckers 2018). The study had 135 participants with ages

5-9 years old. The participants were informed before the day of testing that they should refrain

from intensive exercises. Afterward, The HGS was measured with the Jamar dynamometer and

was tested with their dominant hand. “Then the participants were asked to squeeze continuously
 5
Running Head: HANDGRIP STRENGTH EXPERIMENT
for 2–3 s on a verbal statement: ‘‘Squeeze as hard as you can!’” (Gąsior, Pawłowski, Williams,

Dąbrowski, Rameckers 2018). From the testing, twelve children were able to grasp the handle

and were able to squeeze. Those results were nominally lower than the other handles, number 1

to 3 that was considered as qualitative data. After all tests were complete, “The present study

provides useful information indicating that practitioners conducting tests of hand strength,

function, and therapy can use the second handle position of the Jamar digital dynamometer as

optimal to obtain maximal HGS in non-athlete pediatric participants with typical

development”(Gąsior, Pawłowski, Williams, Dąbrowski, Rameckers 2018).

Another research study was conducted to evaluate hand function in clients with trigger finger.

For the study, there were 63 participants that have a major problem with trigger finger(Langer,

Maeir, Michailevich, Luria, 2017). The participants had used the Jamar Hand Dynamometer for

the testing of the clients. After the testing, all clients were successfully able to use the Jamar

dynamometer without any problems. “ Based on the findings of the present study therapists may

consider incorporating these measures into their assessment protocol for clients with

TF”(Langer, Maeir, Michailevich, Luria, 2017).

 6
Running Head: HANDGRIP STRENGTH EXPERIMENT

References

Gąsior, J. S., Pawłowski, M., Williams, C. A., Dąbrowski, M. J., & Rameckers, E. A.
(2018). Assessment of Maximal Isometric Hand Grip Strength in School-aged Children. Open
medicine (Warsaw, Poland), 13, 22–28. doi:10.1515/med-2018-0004
Gatt, I., Smith-Moore, S., Steggles, C., & Loosemore, M. (2018). The Takei Handheld
Dynamometer: An Effective Clinical Outcome Measure Tool for Hand and Wrist Function in
Boxing. Hand (New York, N.Y.), 13(3), 319–324. doi:10.1177/1558944717707831
Hogrel J. Y. (2015). Grip strength measured by high precision dynamometry in healthy
subjects from 5 to 80 years. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 16, 139.
doi:10.1186/s12891-015-0612-4
Irwin, C. B., & Sesto, M. E. (2010). Reliability and validity of the multiaxis profile
dynamometer with younger and older participants. Journal of hand therapy : official journal of
the American Society of Hand Therapists, 23(3), 281–289. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2010.02.002
Langer, D., Maeir, A., Michailevich, M., & Luria, S. (2017). Evaluating Hand Function in
Clients with Trigger Finger. Occupational therapy international, 2017, 9539206.
doi:10.1155/2017/9539206