Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
Measurement of Spatial Stability in Precision Grip
Published on: June 4, 2020
Grip strength measurement in older adults in Taiwan: a comparison of three testing positions
Wan-Chun Liao1, Chun-Hou Wang, Shu-Yuan Yu
1Graduate Institute of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of three commonly used positions on grip strength measurement in older people.
Method:
A total of 249 (113 women, 136 men) older participants, 72.8 ± 6.5 years old, participated in this study. Grip strength (kg) was measured in three positions: (i) the standard posture (sitting, elbow flexed 90°) suggested by the American Society of Hand Therapists; (ii) standing, elbow flexed 90°; and (3) standing, elbow fully extended.
Results:
One-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed that grip strength was significantly greater in the standing position with the elbow fully extended than in the other two positions.
Conclusions:
The grip strengths obtained from the three positions were not all comparable in our community-dwelling older adults. Clinicians and researchers need to be cautious when choosing testing position for assessing and interpreting grip strength results obtained from these positions.
