Elbow positioning for maximum grip performance.

Numerous studies have shown that elbow positioning influences grip measurements. These studies have had various and contradictory results. The intent of this study was to clarify the discrepancies and determine which elbow position yields maximal grip strength. Sixty-four men and 64 women were tested on a Greenleaf Medical EVAL system, once with the elbow in full extension and once with the elbow in 90 degrees of flexion. With larger subject groups and computerized data collection, results indicate that-for both the dominant and nondominant hands and regardless of the gender of the subject-grip strength is significantly greater when measured with the elbow in the fully extended position.