Strength Isometric Test: Elbow Flexion

Here are the steps to test elbow flexion isometric strength with a Muscle Meter:

1. Have the client seated in an upright position, with their elbow tucked into their torso and flexed to 90 degrees. Their elbow should remain in a supinated position.
2. The practitioner should then position themselves as close as they can to the client and position the Muscle Meter just above the wrist joint of the client. Doing this will allow for greater leverage and will make it easier to match the client's strength.
3. Once set, queue the client to flex their elbow as best they can, holding for 2-3 seconds to achieve maximal force production.
4. Upon completion, hit save in the Measurz app and compare to the other side.

It's important to ensure proper positioning and stabilization during the test to prevent compensatory movements, which can affect the accuracy of the results. Also, it's recommended to warm up the muscles before testing and to avoid testing individuals with acute pain or injury.

Normative data for elbow flexion isometric strength measured with a Muscle Meter can vary depending on factors such as age, sex, and activity level. However, here are some general reference values based on a study by Bohannon and Andrews (1987):

• Men: 33-61 kg (73-134 lbs)
• Women: 20-38 kg (44-84 lbs)

It's important to note that these values are not absolute, and should be interpreted with caution. It's recommended to compare results to the individual's baseline and to consider other factors such as overall strength, medical history, and functional abilities.

References:

1. Bohannon RW, Andrews AW. Interrater reliability of hand-held dynamometry. Phys Ther. 1987 Dec;67(12):931-3. doi: 10.1093/ptj/67.12.931. PMID: 3323263.
2. Hislop HJ, Montgomery J. Daniels and Worthingham's muscle testing: techniques of manual examination. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier; 2007.
3. Norkin CC, White DJ. Measurement of joint motion: a guide to goniometry. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company; 2016.