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. 2018 May 3;22(5):355–369. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.02.006

Table 2.

Characteristics of the studies that established the reference values for isometric strength of the upper/lower limb and axial muscular groups.

UPPER LIMB MUSCLES
Study and location Participants (n; age; and sex) Equipments or methods Muscle groups
McKay et al.22 2017
Australia
n = 1000; 3–101 years;
W/M: 500/500
Hand-held dynamometer (Citec dynamometer CT 3001; CIT
Technics, Groningen, Netherlands)
Elbow flexors/extensors, shoulder internal/external rotators; grip
Decostre et al.23 2015
France
n = 345; 5–79 years;
W/M:198/147
MyoWrist dynamometer Wrist flexors/extensors
Harlinger et al.24 2015
USA
n = 180; 20–64 years; W/M:90/90 Nicholas manual muscle tester (NMMT; Lafayette Instrument, Lafayette, IN) Wrist and elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder internal/external rotators, abductors, flexors/extensors, and horizontal abductors/adductors
Molenaar et al.25 2011
Netherlands
n = 101; 4–12 years;
W/M:52/49
Rotterdam intrinsic hand myometer Thumb flexors, oppositors and abductor; and abductors of the 2° and 5° fingers
Riemann et al.26 2010
USA
n = 181; 20–40 years;
W/M:91/90
Hand-held baseline 250 hydraulic push-pull dynamometer (Baseline Corporation, Invirgton, NY) Shoulder internal/external rotators
aKim et al.27 2009
USA
n = 237; 40–86 years;
W/M:93/144
Isobex dynamometer (Cursor AG, Bern, Switzerland) Shoulder external rotators and abductors
Werle et al.28 2009
Switzerland
n = 1023; 18–96 years;
W/M:507/516
Jamar dynamometer (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA);
Pinch gauge (Baseline Fabrication Enterprises Inc., Irvingston, NY, USA)
Grip

Lateral pinch
Danneskiold-Samsøe et al.35 2009
Denmark
n = 174; 20–80 years;
W/M:121/53
Lido active (Lido Multijoint II, Loredan Biomedical, Davis, CA, USA)
Hand dynamometer (Type HKRM no.: D90116; AB Detector, Göteborg, Sweden)
Wrist and elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder internal/external rotators, abductors/adductors, and flexors/extensors;
Grip (only men)
Holm et al.39 2008
Norway
n = 376; 7–12 years;
W/M:191/185
Jamar dynamometer (Jamar, Bolingbrook, IL, USA) Grip
Jansen et al.29 2008
USA
n = 224; 65–92 years;
W/M:140/84
Jamar dynamometer;
B & L pinch gauge
Grip; lateral, palmar, and pulp-to-pulp pinch
Meldrum et al.30 2007
Ireland
n = 494; 19–76 years;
W/M:259/235
Quantitative muscle assessment system Elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder abductors/adductors
Hogrel et al.37 2007
France
n = 315; 20–80 years;
W/M:168/147
Quantitative muscle testing Elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder internal/external rotators, abductors, flexors/extensors; grip
Eek et al.31 2006
Sweden
n = 149; 5–15 years;
W/M:73/76
Hand-held electronic dynamometer (Adapted Chatillon dynamometer; Axel Ericson Medical AB, S Vägen 12, 412 54 Gothenburg, Sweden) Wrist extensors; elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder abductors
Beenakker et al.46 2001
Netherlands
n = 270; 4–16 years;
W/M:131/139
Hand-held dynamometer type CT 3001 (C.I.T. Technics, Groningen, The Netherlands) Palmar pinch; Wrist extensors; elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder abductors;
Stoll et al.36 2000
Switzerland
n = 543, 20–82 years;
W/M:290/253
Hand-held pull gauge

Martin vigorimeter
Wrist and elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder internal/external rotators, abductors/adductors, flexors/extensors; grip
Phillips et al.44 2000
Australia
n = 200; 20–69 years;
W/M:100/100
Penny and Giles hand-held myometer (Penny & Giles Instrumentation Ltd., 4 Airfield Way, Christchurch, Dorset BH233TS, England) Wrist extensors; elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder external rotators and abductors
Hughes et al.32 1999
USA
n = 120; 20–78 years;
W/M:60/60
Modified Cybex II dynamometer (Cybex, Ronkonkoma, New York) Shoulder internal/external rotators, abductors/adductors and flexors/extensors
Hughes et al.40 1999
USA
n = 120; 20–78 years;
W/M:60/60
Cybex II dynamometer Shoulder internal/external rotators, abductors/adductors, and flexors/extensors
Bohannon38 1997
USA
n = 231; 20–79 years;
W/M:125/106
Ametek digital hand-held dynamometer Wrist extensors; elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder abductors and extensors
Boatright et al.33 1997
USA
n = 309; 20–97 years;
W/M:208/101
Jamar dynamometer (Asimow Engineering, Los Angeles, CA);
Pinch gauge (B&L Engeneering, Santa Fe Springs, CA);
Thumb abduction strength testing device
Grip

Lateral pinch
Thumb abductors
Andrews et al.34 1996
USA
n = 156; 50–79 years;
W/M:70/77
Chatillon CSD400C hand-held dynamometer
Wrist extensors; elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder internal/external rotators, abductors and flexors/extensors
The National Isometric Muscle Strength (NIMS) Database Consortium,45 1996
USA
n = 493; 18–80 years;
W/M:273/220
Interface SM-250 electronic strain gauge (Interface, Inc., 7401 E. ButtherusDr., Scottsdale, AZ 85260)
Jamar model 2A (Asimow Engineering Co., Santa Monica, CA.)
Elbow and shoulder flexors/extensors

Grip
Backman et al.16 1995
Sweden
n = 128; 17–70 years;
W/M:63/65
Portable electronic dynamometer (Myometer, Penny & Giles Transducers Ltd, Dorset, England)
Strain gauge (Rank Stanley Cox)
Wrist extensors; elbow flexors; shoulder abductors

Grip
Crosby et al.42 1994
USA
n = 214; 16–63 years;
W/M:109/105
Jamar Dynamometer (Asimow Engineering, Los Angeles, CA).
Pinch gauge (B& L Engineering, Santa Fe, CA)
Grip

Lateral and pulp-to-pulp pinch
Gilbertson and Barber-Lomax51 1994
Scotland
n = 260; 15–92;
W/M:130/130
Jamar dynamometer (Asimov Engineering Co., Los Angeles, CA)
B+L hydraulic pinch gauge (B+L Engeneering, Santa Fe Springs, CA)
Grip

Lateral, palmar, and pulp-to-pulp pinch
Lannersten et al.48 1993
Sweden
n = 186; 19–65 years;
W/M:90/96
Electromechanical force transducer (Bofors, Suécia)
Shoulder external rotators, abductors, and flexors;
Rice et al.50 1989
Canada
n = 118; 62–92;
W/M:81/37
Modified sphygmomanometer
Hand-grip Stoelting dynamometer (Stoelting Co., 1350 South Kosner Ave, Chicago, IL 60651)
Elbow flexors/extensors; shoulder abductors and flexors
Grip
Backman et al.17 1989
Sweden
n = 217; 3.5–15 years;
W/M:104/113
Portable electronic dynamometer (Myometer, Penny and Gyles Transducers Ltd., Dorset, England) Wrist extensors; elbow flexors/extensors; and shoulder abductors
Sunnegardh et al.47 1988
Sweden
n = 124; 8–13 years;
W/M:65/59
Pressure transducers (Presductor ®, ASEA) Grip
Andersen and Henckel41 1987 Denmark n = 293; 6–19 years;
W/M:165/128
Strain gauge dynamometers Elbow flexors
Murray et al.49 1985
USA
n = 40; 25–36 (young)/55–66 years (elderly); W/M:20/20 U-shaped deflection-beam force gauges (Model X-T-KG, W. C. Dillon & Co., Inc., Van Nuys, California) Shoulder internal/external rotators, abductors/adductors, and flexors/extensors
Mathiowetz et al.43 1985
USA
n = 628; 20–94 years;
W/M:318/310
Jamar dynamometer (Asimov Engineering Co.Los Angeles, CA)
B & L pinch gauge (B&L Engineering, Tustin. CA)
Grip

Lateral, palmar, and pulp-to-pulp pinch
LOWER LIMB MUSCLES
Study and location Participants
(n; age; and sex)
Equipments or methods Muscle groups
McKay et al.22 2017
Australia
n = 1000; 3–101 years;
W/M: 500/500
Hand-held dynamometer (Citec dynamometer CT 3001; CIT
Technics, Groningen, Netherlands)
Fixed dynamometry (CSMi; HUMAC NORM, Stoughton, MA)
Ankle dorsiflexors/plantarflexors; knee flexors/extensors; hip internal and external rotators, and abductors
Moraux et al.52 2013
France
n = 345; 5–80 years;
W/M:198/147
Ankle dynamometer
Ankle dorsiflexors/plantarflexors
Danneskiold-Samsøe et al.35 2009
Denmark
n = 174; 20–80 years;
W/M:121/53
Lido active (Lido Multi Joint II, Loredan Biomedical, Davis, CA, USA) Ankle dorsiflexors/plantarflexors; knee flexors/extensors; hip internal/external rotators, abductors/adductors, and flexors/extensors
Meldrum et al.30 2007
Ireland
n = 494; 19–76 years;
W/M:259/235
Quantitative muscle assessment system Ankle dorsiflexors; knee flexors/extensors; and hip flexors
Hogrel et al.37 2007
France
n = 315; 20–80 years;
W/M:168/147
Quantitative muscle testing Ankle dorsiflexors; knee and hip flexors/extensors
Eek et al.31 2006
Sweden
n = 149; 5–15 years;
W/M:73/76
Hand-held eletronic dynamometer (Adapted Chatillon dynamometer; Axel Ericson Medical AB, S Vägen 12, 412 54 Gothenburg, Sweden) Ankle dorsiflexors/plantarflexors; knee flexors/extensors; hip abductors/adductors and flexors/extensors
Beenakker et al.46 2001 Netherlands n = 270; 4–16 years;
W/M:131/139
Hand-held dynamometer type CT 3001 (C.I.T. Technics, Groningen, The Netherlands) Ankle dorsiflexors; knee flexors/extensors; hip abductors and flexors
Stoll et al.36 2000
Switzerland
n = 543, 20–82 years;
W/M:290/253
Hand-held pull gauge Ankle dorsiflexors/plantarflexors; knee flexors/extensors; hip internal/external rotators, abductors/adductors, and flexors/extensors
Phillips et al.44 2000
Australia
n = 200; Age:20–69 years;
F:100/M:100
Penny and Gileshand-held myometer (Penny & Giles Instrumentation Ltd., 4 Airfield Way, Christchurch, Dorset BH233TS, England) Ankle dorsiflexors; hip abductors and flexors
Bohannon38 1997
USA
n = 231; 20–79 years;
W/M:125/106
Ametek digital hand-held dynamometer Ankle dorsiflexors; knee extensors; hip abductors and flexors
Andrews et al.34 1996
USA
n = 147; 50–79 years;
W/M:70/77
Chatillon CSD400C hand-held dynamometer
Ankle dorsiflexors; knee flexors/extensors; hip, abductors and flexors
The National Isometric Muscle Strength (NIMS) Database Consortium45 1996
USA
n = 493; 18–80 years;
W/M:273/220
Interface SM-250 electronic strain gauge (Interface, Inc., 7401 E. ButtherusDr., Scottsdale, AZ 85260)
Ankle dorsiflexors; knee and hip flexors/extensors
Backman et al.16 1995
Sweden
n = 128; 17–70 years;
W/M:63/65
Portable electronic dynamometer (Myometer, Penny & Giles Transducers Ltd, Dorset, England) Ankle dorsiflexors; knee flexors/extensors; hip abductors and flexors
Backman et al.17 1989
Sweden
n = 217; 3.5–15 years;
W/M:104/113
Portable electronic dynamometer (Myometer, Penny and Gyles Transducers Ltd., Dorset, England) Ankle dorsiflexors; knee flexors/extensors; hip abductors and flexors/extensors
Rice et al.50 1989
Canada
n = 118; 62–92 years;
W/M:81/37
Modified sphygmomanometer Ankle dorsiflexors/plantarflexors; knee extensors; hip flexors/extensors
Sunnegardh et al.47 1988 Sweden n = 124; 8–13 years;
W/M: 65/59
Pressure transducers (Presductor ®, ASEA) Knee extensors
Andersen and Henckel41 1987 Denmark n = 293; 16–19 years;
W/M:165/128
Strain gauge dynamometers Knee extensors
AXIAL MUSCLES
Study and location Participants
(n; age; and sex)
Equipments or methods Muscle groups
Paalanne et al.60 2009
Finland
n = 874; 19 ± 0.2 years;
W/M:493/381
Computerized strain gauge dynamometer (New Test, Co., Oulu, Finland) Trunk flexors/extensors and rotators
Danneskiold-Samsøe et al.35 2009 Denmark n = 174; 20–80 years;
W/M:121/53
Lido active (Lido Multi Joint II, Loredan Biomedical, Davis, CA, USA) Trunk flexors/extensors
Cagnie et al.53 2007
Belgium
n = 96; 20–59 years;
W/M:48/48
Biodex isokinetic dynamometer Neck flexors/extensors
Meldrum et al.30 2007
Ireland
n = 494; 19–76 years;
W/M:259/235
Quantitative muscle assessment system Neck flexors
Hogrel et al.37 2007
France
n = 315; 20–80 years;
W/M:168/147
Quantitative muscle testing Neck flexors
Salo et al.59 2006
Finland
n = 220; 20–59 years;
W:220
Specially designed measurement system Neck flexors/extensors and rotators
aGarcés et al.56 2002
Spain
n = 94; 20->60 years;
W/M:43/51
Kin-Con ® computerized dynamometer Neck flexors/extensors
Chiu et al.57 2002
China
n = 91; 20–84 years;
W/M:46/45
Multi cervical rehabilitation unit (Hanoun Medical Inc., Ontario, Canada) Neck flexors/extensors; lateral flexors; protractors/retractors
Peolsson et al.54 2001
Sweden
n = 101; 25–63 years;
W/M:50/51
David back clinic 140 (DCB 140) Neck flexors/extensors and lateral flexors
Beenakker et al.46 2001
Netherlands
n = 270; 4–16 years;
W/M:131/139
Hand-held dynamometer type CT 3001 (C.I.T. Technics, Groningen, The Netherlands) Neck flexors
Stoll et al.36 2000
Switzerland
n = 543, 20–82 years;
W/M:290/253
Hand-held pull gauge Neck flexors/extensors; trunk flexors and rotators
Phillips et al.44 2000
Australia
n = 200; 20–69 years;
W/M:100/100
Penny and Gileshand-held myometer (Penny & Giles Instrumentation Ltd., 4 Airfield Way, Christchurch, Dorset BH233TS, England) Neck flexors
Jordan et al.58 1999
Denmark
n = 100; 20–70 years;
W/M:50/50
Strain-gauge dynamometer (Neck Exercise Unit, Norway) Neck flexors/extensors
Vernon et al.55 1992
Canada
n = 40; 25 ± 2 years;
M:40
Modified sphygmomanometer dynamometer
(Magnatec Co. Ltd. Concord, Ontario, Canada)
Neck flexors/extensors; lateral flexors and rotators
Sunnegardh et al.47 1988 Sweden n = 124; 8–13 years;
W/M:65/59
Pressure transducers (Presductor ®, ASEA)
Trunk flexors/extensors
Andersen and Henckel41 1987 Denmark n = 193; 16–19 years;
W/M:165/28
Strain gauge dynamometer Trunk flexors/extensors
Nordin et al.61 1987
USA
n = 101; 18–48 years;
W:101
Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer Trunk flexors/extensors

W: women; M: men; USA: United States of America.

a

Reported sample calculation.