Measuring wrist muscle strength.

The purpose of the study was to design and evaluate a clinically acceptable method of objectively measuring wrist muscle strength. Static and dynamic wrist muscle strength measures for the wrist flexors, extensors, radial deviators, and ulnar deviators of 30 college-age students were recorded on the Cybex II(R). The Cybex II and testing methods devised for using it demonstrated an acceptable consistency of measurement; the average reliability coefficients for the tests conducted were r = 0.881 and 0.892. The findings indicate isometric torque and low velocity isokinetic torque are highly related. The dominant wrist muscle strength was greater than nondominant, but the two measures exhibited similar patterns of variance across muscle groups and test speeds. Statically and dynamically, the wrist flexors produced the greatest mean, peak torque followed by the radial deviators, ulnar deviators, and wrist extensors in decreasing order of strength. Aside from cost, the Cybex II and testing method employed proved to be a feasible means of objectively measuring wrist muscle strength.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1983;4(4):217-228.