HAND-HELD DYNAMOMETERS

The topic for this research paper is a comparison of hand held dynamometers versus manual muscle testing for evaluating voluntary isometric muscle strength in appendicular joints. Literature citings demonstrate efficacy for individual techniques.

Hinderer, hinderer, and Deitz (1986) studied the reliability of HHD compared to the myometer. Attempts were made to determine clinical significance of changes in strength detected compared to traditional methods of testing; reliability and standard error of measurement were established. This study compared interrater, test-retest, and intratrial reliability, standard errors of measurement, validity of readings, subjective ratings of therapists and subjects, and instrument features in upper and lower extremity muscle groups of normal women (ages 20 years to 40 years). Test-retest interval was five to 10 days. Results showed that examiners maintained high procedural reliability levels (99 percent). Reliability coefficients ranged from 0.61 to 0.99. The myometer measured more accurately and was rated higher by subjects and therapists for comfort and degrees of steadiness (8:693).

Hand-held dynamometers (HHD) were investigated

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his technique would allow coaches, physical educators, or other health professionals to recommend appropriate exercise programs to correct strength deficits. Deficits that predispose to injury or reinjury can be corrected to decrease frequency or injury severity (12:15, 18). The efficacy of MMT has been assessed. MMT is the most widely used clinical method for determining muscle weakness. Strength loss found with MMT tests indicates needs for strengthening programs for injured or deconditioned individuals. MMT is a subjective evaluation and its reliability is questioned; many different techniques and devises are used. This study compared an examiner's clinical perception of muscle deficits and readings from a breaking force measured by the MMT. MMT used was the ISMAT manual muscle tester (a small, hand-held force-measuring device) (10:360). Maximum force output was determined for 128 patients with histories of lower extremity orthopaedic pathology. It was noted that examiner strength is a factor in MMT assessment; the tester must be able to overcome a subject's resistance. For this study, the maximum force output for each examiner was first determined. Despite limitations of force generation, a wide range of strengths
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Phillips Sannes, HHD MMT, MMT MMT, DYNAMOMETERS Introduction, MMT HHD, Brown Norton, Effgen Brown, Keating Matyas, Fair Standardized, MMT QIS, muscle strength, manual muscle, muscle testing, manual muscle testing, interrater reliability, plantar flexors, dorsal plantar flexors, dorsal plantar, body weight, phys ther, ankle dorsal, poor interrater reliability, ankle dorsal plantar, physical therapists, weight grip strength,
Approximate Word count = 3129
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page)

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