The Grip Strength Straight Arm Neutral Test measures how much grip force a client can produce while the elbow is extended and the forearm is held in a neutral position, usually with the thumb facing upward. It is a practical variation of maximal handgrip testing that may be useful when a professional wants to assess grip force in a more extended-arm position, such as carrying, pulling, hanging, holding, climbing, combat sport, manual handling, gym or workplace tasks.
A gripper is used to measure handgrip force during maximal or repeated gripping assessments. When used on its own, a gripper primarily measures peak grip force, which is the highest force value produced during the test. When gripper data are recorded with Measurz, results can be used to support peak force, side-to-side comparison, repeated-trial comparison, progress tracking, force relative to body mass, fatigue or repeated-effort monitoring where the protocol supports it, and time-based force analysis where compatible data are available.
For most routine straight-arm neutral grip tests, peak grip force is usually the main metric. Best trial, average force, side-to-side difference, dominant versus non-dominant comparison and grip strength as a percentage of body weight may also be useful. Fatigue index should only be used if repeated or sustained gripping efforts are part of the protocol.
The result can support assessment reasoning and progress tracking, but it does not diagnose hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder pain, confirm pathology, explain symptoms on its own, clear sport participation, clear work duties or replace professional judgement.
The Grip Strength Straight Arm Neutral Test is a maximal isometric grip assessment performed with the elbow extended and the forearm in neutral. Neutral means the thumb usually points upward rather than the palm facing up or down. The client squeezes the gripper as hard as possible while maintaining the same shoulder, elbow, forearm and wrist position.
This test primarily measures grip force output in a specific straight-arm, neutral-forearm setup. It reflects the combined contribution of the finger flexors, thumb position, wrist and forearm stabilisers, elbow position, shoulder position, hand size, grip span, effort quality and confidence.
The straight-arm neutral position is different from the most common standardised handgrip position, which typically uses the elbow flexed to 90 degrees with the forearm neutral. Because elbow position can affect grip strength and task comfort, straight-arm neutral results should be compared with straight-arm neutral retests rather than directly compared with bent-arm protocols.
Consistent setup matters because small changes in handle setting, elbow angle, forearm position, wrist position, shoulder position, grip span, hand dominance and instructions can change the result.
This test does not fully measure hand function, dexterity, endurance, pain source, tissue status, sport performance, work capacity or whole upper-limb strength on its own.
Explain that the test measures how strongly they can squeeze the gripper while the arm is straight and the forearm is neutral. Record baseline symptoms, hand pain, wrist pain, elbow symptoms, shoulder symptoms, paraesthesia, recent gripping workload, recent training load, sport exposure, work exposure and confidence with maximal gripping.
Ask which hand is dominant. Record whether the dominant or non-dominant hand is tested first.
Use 1–2 submaximal practice trials before maximal testing so the client understands the position, handle setting and effort required.
Use a repeatable position such as:
Client seated or standing upright
Shoulder relaxed unless a specific shoulder angle is intentionally selected
Arm held straight with the elbow extended
Forearm neutral, with thumb facing upward
Wrist in a comfortable neutral or slightly extended position
Hand holding the gripper without excessive wrist flexion, extension or deviation
Trunk upright and still
Feet supported or stance recorded if standing
Record the exact position used. If a seated protocol is used, retest seated. If a standing protocol is used, retest standing. Do not compare seated and standing results directly unless the same protocol is repeated and documented.
Use the same gripper device for baseline and retesting. Record the device type and whether it reports force in kilograms, pounds, Newtons or another unit.
Check that the gripper is functioning correctly and that the display or recording system is ready before each trial.
When recording with Measurz, document:
Test name
Hand tested
Hand dominance
Shoulder position
Elbow position
Forearm position
Wrist position
Handle setting
Number of trials
Contraction duration
Rest period
Peak force
Symptoms
Notes about compensation or invalid trials
Set the gripper handle to a consistent span. Handle setting is one of the most important parts of grip testing because a setting that is too narrow or too wide can reduce force output.
Record:
Handle setting number or distance
Whether the same setting is used for both hands
Whether the setting is adjusted for hand size
Whether the setting is repeated at retest
If the client has smaller hands, larger hands, pain, stiffness or difficulty reaching the handle in the straight-arm neutral position, record the chosen setting clearly.
Ask the client to keep the elbow straight, forearm neutral and wrist position steady. The shoulder should stay in the selected position and the trunk should not lean.
Watch for:
Elbow bending during the squeeze
Wrist flexion during squeezing
Wrist extension during squeezing
Wrist deviation
Forearm rotating into supination or pronation
Shoulder hiking
Arm drifting forward, backward or sideways
Trunk leaning
Breath holding
Pain-related guarding
Gripper slipping
The aim is a controlled maximal grip effort in the same straight-arm neutral position each time.
Use consistent instructions such as:
“Hold the gripper with your thumb facing up.”
“Keep your arm straight.”
“When I say go, squeeze as hard as you can.”
“Keep squeezing until I say stop.”
“Keep your wrist, elbow and shoulder position still.”
“Keep breathing.”
“Tell me if you feel pain, tingling, numbness or anything unusual.”
Use the same wording at retest where possible.
A practical routine protocol is:
1–2 practice trials per hand
2–3 recorded maximal trials per hand
Each maximal squeeze held for approximately 3–5 seconds
30–60 seconds rest between maximal trials
Longer rest if fatigue, pain or cramping occurs
Record either the best trial or the average of recorded trials. Best trial is commonly useful for maximal grip strength. Average force may be useful when repeated trials are used to reduce the influence of one unusually high or low attempt.
Use the same scoring method at retest.
Repeat or mark a trial as invalid if:
The elbow bends
The forearm rotates away from neutral
The wrist position changes substantially
The shoulder position changes
The trunk leans
The gripper slips
The handle setting changes
The client starts before the recording is ready
Pain, tingling, numbness or cramping limits effort
The client does not understand the task
The effort is clearly submaximal
Record hand, wrist, forearm, elbow or shoulder symptoms during and after testing. Also record tingling, numbness, cramping, skin discomfort, callus discomfort, apprehension and confidence.
Do not repeatedly test through worsening symptoms, significant paraesthesia, strong pain or severe cramping.
For retesting, match the same device, handle setting, hand order, shoulder position, elbow position, forearm position, wrist position, contraction duration, rest period, scoring method and symptom recording.
The Grip Strength Straight Arm Neutral Test may be useful for:
Baseline grip strength assessment in an extended-arm, neutral-forearm position
Right-left comparison
Dominant versus non-dominant hand comparison
Progress tracking
Strength profiling
Monitoring change over time
Client education
Sport contexts where gripping occurs with the arm extended
Workplace contexts involving carrying, lifting, pulling, holding, pushing, tool use or manual handling
Fitness and performance contexts
Comparing bent-arm and straight-arm grip strength
Comparing supinated, neutral and pronated grip positions
Comparing grip force with wrist, elbow and shoulder strength tests
Comparing absolute grip force with grip strength as a percentage of body weight
This test should support assessment reasoning. It should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic, clearance or performance-prediction tool.
The test primarily measures grip force output in a straight-arm, neutral forearm position.
It may provide useful information about:
Maximal grip force
Right-left difference
Dominant versus non-dominant hand difference
Grip force relative to body weight
Change from baseline
Confidence with maximal gripping
Symptom response during gripping
Repeated-trial consistency
Grip force in an extended-arm position
It does not fully measure:
Hand function
Dexterity
Endurance, unless a repeated or sustained protocol is used
Work capacity
Sport performance
Pain source
Tendon status
Nerve function
Readiness for sport or work
A higher score may suggest greater grip force output in that specific straight-arm neutral test setup. A lower score may suggest reduced grip force output, but the reason should be interpreted carefully.
Lower grip force may be influenced by pain, apprehension, poor familiarisation, fatigue, guarding, poor positioning, wrist angle, elbow position, shoulder position, hand dominance, handle setting, grip span, device type, skin discomfort, callus discomfort, grip friction, breath holding, client confidence, motivation and effort.
One result should not be interpreted in isolation. Interpretation is strongest when the same setup is repeated over time. The result should be interpreted alongside symptoms, confidence, hand dominance, sport or work demands, related tests and functional goals.
Important influences include:
Pain
Apprehension
Poor familiarisation
Fatigue
Guarding
Poor positioning
Wrist angle
Elbow position
Shoulder position
Hand dominance
Handle setting
Grip span
Device type
Skin discomfort
Callus or grip friction
Breath holding
Client confidence
Motivation and effort
Recent training or manual workload
Forearm position, including whether the forearm is neutral, supinated or pronated
Arm position, including whether the elbow is straight or bent
Approximate grip strength as a percentage of body weight:
Adult men: approximately 55–70% body weight
Adult women: approximately 35–50% body weight
Older men: approximately 40–60% body weight
Older women: approximately 25–40% body weight
Strength-trained or grip-dominant sport clients: may score higher depending on body size, sport, training history and protocol
These values should be used as context, not pass/fail scores.
Standard handgrip research shows that grip strength is usually higher in men than women and generally declines with age. Forearm position also matters, with neutral, supinated and pronated grip positions producing different values in some protocols.
For this test, the strongest comparisons are usually:
The client’s own baseline
Right versus left hand
Dominant versus non-dominant hand
Grip strength as percentage of body weight
Repeated tests using the same setup
Symptoms during testing
Sport, work or training demands
Related wrist, elbow and shoulder tests
Reference values can help provide context, but they should not be used as diagnostic, clearance or pass/fail cut-offs.
Published reference values for this exact straight-arm neutral gripper protocol are limited. Most widely used handgrip reference values come from Jamar-style dynamometry using seated testing, elbow flexed to 90 degrees, shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated, forearm neutral and wrist near neutral.
Closest available reference data include:
Large Jamar-style datasets provide adult grip strength values stratified by age, sex and hand side, but these generally use a bent-arm neutral-forearm protocol.
Adult grip strength commonly peaks in young to middle adulthood and tends to decline with older age.
Men generally produce higher absolute grip force than women in population datasets.
The dominant hand is often stronger, but the size of this difference varies by person, sport, work exposure and protocol.
Large life-course grip strength data show that grip strength varies substantially across age and sex, with peak adult values higher than older adult values.
Research comparing grip test positions suggests that results from different postures or elbow positions may not be fully interchangeable.
Device type matters. Hydraulic, electronic and spring-based grippers may not produce directly interchangeable values.
Because this protocol uses a straight arm, standard elbow-flexed norms should be used only as broad context, not as direct targets.
For this straight-arm neutral test, interpretation should rely more heavily on baseline comparison, side-to-side comparison, hand dominance, repeated testing, symptoms, confidence, setup consistency and related findings.
Use this order:
Compare with the client’s own baseline.
Compare right and left hands where relevant.
Consider hand dominance.
Consider grip strength relative to body weight.
Consider symptoms during and after testing.
Consider confidence and effort quality.
Review whether compensations were present.
Compare with related upper-limb, shoulder, elbow, wrist or pinch strength tests.
Relate the result to the client’s sport, work, exercise or daily-life demands.
Retest under the same conditions to monitor change.
Do not use reference values as pass/fail criteria.
Peak force
Use for maximum grip force output, baseline grip strength, right-left comparison, dominant versus non-dominant hand comparison, progress tracking and comparing force across retests.
Look for best score or average score, consistent handle setting, consistent body position, side-to-side difference, change from baseline, grip force as percentage of body weight, pain or compensation during maximal effort.
Average force
Use for summarising repeated trials, reducing the influence of one unusually high or low attempt and tracking consistent grip output.
Look for whether repeated trials are consistent, whether one trial is unusually high or low, whether average force changes over time and whether fatigue affects later trials.
Force relative to body mass
Use for providing context across different body sizes and for sport, workplace or performance contexts where relative strength matters.
Look for grip force expressed as percentage of body weight, whether absolute force and percentage of body weight tell a different story, whether body-size context matters for the client’s goal and whether percentage of body weight improves over time using the same setup.
Side-to-side difference
Use for right-left comparison, dominant versus non-dominant hand comparison and monitoring asymmetry over time.
Look for whether one hand is consistently lower, whether the difference is expected due to dominance, sport or work demands, whether symptoms, confidence or recent injury influence one side and whether the same position was maintained on both sides.
Time to peak
Use when the device captures how long it takes the client to reach peak grip force.
Look for delayed peak force, faster time to peak across retests and whether a slower time reflects caution, pain, poor cueing or performance differences.
Rate of force development
Use when rapid grip force matters, such as sport, tactical, workplace or performance contexts.
Look for early force production, whether rapid grip output changes over time, whether rate of force development improves while peak force stays similar and whether confidence and familiarisation influence the result.
Youth clients
Consider growth, maturation, hand size, coordination, attention, training age, grip span and familiarisation. Handle setting is especially important because smaller hands may not suit the same grip span as adults.
Adults and general fitness clients
Use the test for baseline strength, progress tracking, grip strength as percentage of body weight, confidence with gripping tasks and general exercise goals.
Older adults
Grip strength can provide useful context for carrying, opening objects, general physical capacity and daily tasks. Use adequate rest periods and consider fatigue, confidence and function.
Athletes and sport clients
Relevant sports may include climbing, grappling, martial arts, racquet sports, throwing sports, gymnastics, rowing, weightlifting and field or court sports. Peak grip force alone does not equal sport performance, but it can support a broader strength profile.
Workplace and manual task clients
Consider occupational demands such as gripping tools, carrying, lifting, pulling, pushing, manual handling and repeated hand tasks. Do not use one score to clear work duties.
Clients returning after injury
Use the test to monitor grip force output, confidence, symptom response and comparison with the opposite side. Strength alone should not confirm readiness.
Clients with pain or persistent symptoms
Pain, fear, guarding, fatigue, apprehension and confidence may reduce grip force. Record symptoms and compare the result with related tests.
Higher body mass clients
Absolute force and force relative to body mass may both be useful. Avoid assumptions based on body size and interpret results in relation to the client’s goals, symptoms and task demands.
Smaller hands or different hand sizes
Handle setting, grip span and hand size can strongly influence results. Record the chosen setting and keep it consistent for retesting unless there is a clear reason to change it.
Repeatability improves when the same setup is used each time. Standardise and record:
Same test position
Same device
Same handle setting
Same grip span
Same hand tested first
Same hand dominance recording
Same shoulder position
Same elbow position
Same forearm position
Same wrist position
Same instructions
Same contraction duration
Same rest period
Same scoring method
Same symptom and compensation recording
Standard handgrip protocols often use elbow flexion around 90 degrees and a neutral forearm. Because this test uses a straight arm, results should be tracked against the same straight-arm neutral setup rather than compared directly with standard elbow-flexed norms.
Common errors include:
Inconsistent handle setting
Inconsistent elbow position
Bending the elbow during the effort
Inconsistent wrist position
Forearm drifting out of neutral
Excessive wrist flexion, extension or deviation
Shoulder compensation
Arm drifting during testing
Trunk leaning
Breath holding
Poor familiarisation
Testing too quickly between trials
Comparing different devices directly
Treating the score as a diagnosis
Ignoring hand dominance
Ignoring hand size or grip span
Limitations include:
Testing is setup-dependent.
Grip strength does not fully represent hand function.
Grip strength does not fully represent sport performance.
Grip strength does not fully represent work capacity.
Pain, fear or guarding can reduce force output.
Peak force does not measure endurance, dexterity or coordination.
Published norms are not universal across devices or protocols.
Straight-arm values should not be treated as identical to bent-arm values.
Neutral grip values should not be treated as identical to supinated or pronated grip values.
The Grip Strength Straight Arm Neutral Test may be useful for:
Baseline grip strength assessment in an extended-arm, neutral-forearm position
Right-left comparison
Dominant versus non-dominant comparison
Progress tracking
Strength profiling
Client education
Sport preparation
Workplace context
Monitoring response to exercise or intervention
Comparing with pinch, wrist, elbow or shoulder tests
General physical capacity context
Comparing absolute grip force with grip strength as percentage of body weight
Comparing task-specific grip positions where appropriate
If grip force is low on both sides, consider assessing handle setting, grip span, familiarisation, wrist strength, elbow strength, shoulder position, general strength and recent workload.
If one hand is much lower, compare with hand dominance, symptoms, previous injury, sport demands, work exposure, wrist strength, pinch strength and shoulder or elbow findings.
If straight-arm grip is lower than bent-arm grip, review whether the difference relates to shoulder position, elbow position, confidence, symptoms, fatigue or task specificity.
If body weight percentage is low, consider whether absolute force, body size, training history, work demands and client goals tell the same story.
If pain limits the result, record the symptom location, review the test position and compare with related findings rather than forcing repeated maximal trials.
If grip force is good but function is limited, consider assessing dexterity, endurance, pinch strength, wrist range of motion, elbow strength, shoulder strength, confidence and task-specific demands.
If fatigue appears quickly, consider whether repeated gripping, sustained holds, rest periods, workload, sleep, recovery or symptoms are influencing performance.
If the client is improving, keep the same setup and monitor whether grip force, symptoms, confidence and task tolerance improve together.
Position: Seated or standing upright with position recorded
Shoulder position: Relaxed or selected shoulder angle recorded consistently
Elbow position: Straight arm, elbow extended
Forearm position: Neutral, thumb facing upward
Wrist position: Neutral or slightly extended, recorded consistently
Hand tested: Record right, left and dominance
Handle setting: Record gripper handle setting or grip span
Trials: 1–2 practice trials, then 2–3 recorded maximal trials per hand
Contraction duration: 3–5 seconds
Rest: 30–60 seconds between maximal trials
Metric: Peak force, with average force if repeated-trial summary is used
Additional context: Side-to-side difference, dominance, grip force as percentage of body weight, symptoms and confidence
Final score: Best trial or average of recorded trials
Key retesting requirement: Same device, handle setting, body position, shoulder position, elbow position, forearm position, wrist position, instructions, contraction duration, rest and scoring method
It measures maximal grip force in a straight-arm, neutral forearm position.
Straight arm means the elbow remains extended. Neutral forearm means the thumb usually points upward.
No. Many standard handgrip protocols use the elbow bent to 90 degrees with the forearm neutral. This test uses a straight arm, so results should be compared with the same straight-arm setup.
Grip strength as a percentage of body weight can provide useful context across different body sizes. It should support interpretation, not act as a pass/fail score.
A gripper primarily measures peak grip force during the squeeze. With Measurz, results can also support side-to-side comparison, repeated-trial comparison, progress tracking and force relative to body mass.
No. It can measure grip force and symptom response, but it does not diagnose a condition or explain symptoms on its own.
Yes, where appropriate. Testing both hands allows right-left and dominant versus non-dominant comparison.
Elbow and shoulder position can influence comfort, leverage, stabilisation and effort. Straight-arm scores should be compared with straight-arm retests, not assumed to match bent-arm results.
Use the same gripper, handle setting, elbow position, forearm position, wrist position, hand order, instructions, contraction duration, rest period and scoring method.
The Grip Strength Straight Arm Neutral Test measures maximal grip force with the elbow extended and forearm neutral.
Peak grip force is usually the main routine metric.
Straight-arm values should not be treated as interchangeable with bent-arm values.
Neutral grip results should not be treated as interchangeable with supinated or pronated grip results.
Handle setting, grip span, wrist position, elbow position and shoulder position strongly influence the result.
Grip strength as a percentage of body weight can provide useful context, but it is not a pass/fail score.
The strongest comparisons are usually the client’s own baseline, right-left comparison and repeated testing using the same setup.
Measurz should capture hand tested, dominance, position, handle setting, peak force, symptoms, confidence, compensations and retesting conditions.
Bohannon, R. W. (1997). Reference values for extremity muscle strength obtained by hand-held dynamometry from adults aged 20 to 79 years. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 78(1), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9993(97)90005-8
Dodds, R. M., Syddall, H. E., Cooper, R., Benzeval, M., Deary, I. J., Dennison, E. M., Der, G., Gale, C. R., Inskip, H. M., Jagger, C., Kirkwood, T. B. L., Lawlor, D. A., Robinson, S. M., Starr, J. M., Steptoe, A., Tilling, K., Kuh, D., & Sayer, A. A. (2014). Grip strength across the life course: Normative data from twelve British studies. PLoS ONE, 9(12), e113637. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0113637
Massy-Westropp, N. M., Gill, T. K., Taylor, A. W., Bohannon, R. W., & Hill, C. L. (2011). Hand grip strength: Age and gender stratified normative data in a population-based study. BMC Research Notes, 4, 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-4-127
Mathiowetz, V., Kashman, N., Volland, G., Weber, K., Dowe, M., & Rogers, S. (1985). Grip and pinch strength: Normative data for adults. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 66(2), 69–74.
Roberts, H. C., Denison, H. J., Martin, H. J., Patel, H. P., Syddall, H., Cooper, C., & Sayer, A. A. (2011). A review of the measurement of grip strength in clinical and epidemiological studies: Towards a standardised approach. Age and Ageing, 40(4), 423–428. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afr051
Tsekoura, M., Billis, E., Tsepis, E., & others. (2021). Reproducibility and agreement between three positions for handgrip assessment. Scientific Reports, 11, 12906. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92296-8
