Comparison of strength of shoulder flexors measured through manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamometry in young healthy females

Objective: To compare the strength of shoulder flexors of both extremities measured through manual muscle testing and hand held dynamometer in different age groups of young healthy females. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 300 young healthy females in the age group of 18-39 years were recruited by non-probability convenient sampling technique. The muscle strength of the shoulder flexors of both upper extremities was measured by hand-held dynamometer and manual muscle testing. The strength was analyzed according to the variation of strength across grade 4 and 5 in different age groups by comparing means. Results: In dominant side the muscle strength of 194 participants was in grade 4 with quantitative mean to be 9.3 +/- 2.1kgs, (range 4.08-16.10kgs); 106 participants had normal muscle strength with quantitative mean to be 10.24 +/- 3.05kgs (range 5.22-21.9kgs). In non-dominant side, 206 participants were graded in grade 4, the quantitative mean of strength was 9.1 +/- 2.08 kilograms (range 3.85-14.29kgs); 94 participants were graded in grade 5 with quantitative mean to be 9.8 +/- 2.7kgs (range 5.33-18.74kgs). Conclusion: In young adult females, wide range of strength was seen in grade 4 and 5 with an overlap in strength measured quantitatively through hand-held dynamometer. Dominant side was stronger than non-dominant. In normal population weaker shoulder flexors were found.