Abstract
[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of isometric muscle strength measurements of the lower limbs and hips made with a hand-held dynamometer and belt by comparing them with measurements obtained by an isokinetic dynamometer. [Subjects] The subjects were 24 healthy adults (12 men, 12 women) with a mean age of 20.4 years. [Method] Measurements were made with both instruments on the flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, external rotators and internal rotators of the hip and flexors and extensors of the knee. [Results] Measurements obtained with the hand-held dynamometer and belt were significantly lower than those obtained with the isokinetic dynamometer. Pearson's correlation coefficients for the measurements made with the two instruments ranged from 0.52 to 0.88 for all muscle groups except the hip abductors which was 0.34. In the hip abductors, the coefficient was 0.65 when forces of 450 N and higher were excluded. [Conclusion] Isometric muscle strength measurements of the lower limbs and hips obtained with a hand-held dynamometer and belt are considered to be valid except for measurement of hip abduction of subjects with high muscle strength.
