Isometric shoulder strength: Normative Australian population data and associated factors

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Physiology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Isometric shoulder strength is influenced by age and sex, necessitating adjustments in assessments like the Constant Score.
• Maintaining clinical relevance of shoulder strength protocols requires representative normative data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate normative isometric shoulder strength values for an Australian population.
• To identify demographic predictors of shoulder strength beyond age and sex.

Main Methods:

• Isometric shoulder strength was measured in 511 healthy participants using a hand-held dynamometer.
• Data were stratified by age and sex, and analyzed using linear regression models.
• Demographic variables including height, weight, and hand dominance were assessed.

Main Results:

• Normative shoulder strength values were established for the study cohort.
• Age and sex were significant predictors of isometric shoulder strength (p < .001).
• Height predicted strength in females (p = .03), while weight predicted strength in males (p < .001). Hand dominance also showed significant associations.

Conclusions:

• This research provides updated normative shoulder strength data for the Australian population.
• Beyond age and sex, other demographic factors significantly influence shoulder strength, aiding in more accurate clinical assessments.