The Grip Strength Overhead Neutral Test measures how much grip force a client can produce while the arm is positioned overhead and the forearm is held in neutral. Neutral usually means the thumb points upward or the hand remains in a mid-position between palm-up and palm-down, depending on the exact overhead setup. This test may be useful when a professional wants to assess grip force in a position that resembles overhead holding, hanging, climbing, gymnastics, racquet sport, throwing-related preparation, workplace overhead tasks, tool use or gym-based movements.
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 overhead 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, shoulder or neck pain, confirm pathology, explain symptoms on its own, clear sport participation, clear work duties or replace professional judgement.
The Grip Strength Overhead Neutral Test is a maximal isometric grip assessment performed with the arm held overhead and the forearm in neutral. 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 overhead, neutral-forearm setup. It reflects the combined contribution of the finger flexors, thumb position, wrist and forearm stabilisers, shoulder position, scapular control, elbow position, hand size, grip span, effort quality and confidence.
The overhead neutral position is different from standard handgrip testing, which commonly uses a seated position with the shoulder close to the body, elbow flexed to 90 degrees, forearm neutral and wrist near neutral. Because shoulder position, elbow position and overhead tolerance can affect grip strength, overhead neutral results should be compared with overhead neutral retests rather than directly compared with standard bent-arm neutral, straight-arm neutral, supinated or pronated protocols.
Consistent setup matters because small changes in handle setting, shoulder angle, elbow angle, forearm position, wrist position, scapular position, grip span, hand dominance and instructions can change the result.
This test does not fully measure hand function, dexterity, endurance, shoulder capacity, overhead sport performance, work capacity, pain source, tissue status or whole upper-limb strength on its own.
Explain that the test measures how strongly they can squeeze the gripper while the arm is positioned overhead and the forearm is neutral. Record baseline symptoms, hand pain, wrist pain, elbow symptoms, shoulder symptoms, neck symptoms, paraesthesia, recent gripping workload, recent overhead 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 overhead position, handle setting, forearm position and effort required.
Use a repeatable position such as:
Client seated or standing upright
Arm positioned overhead at a recorded shoulder angle
Elbow position recorded as straight, slightly bent or set to a specific angle
Forearm neutral, with thumb direction recorded
Wrist in a comfortable neutral or slightly extended position
Hand holding the gripper without excessive wrist flexion, extension or deviation
Trunk upright and still
Head and neck comfortable
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. If the elbow is straight, retest with the elbow straight. If the elbow is slightly bent, retest with the same elbow angle.
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
Body position
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 overhead neutral position, record the chosen setting clearly.
Ask the client to keep the arm overhead, forearm neutral and wrist position steady. The trunk should remain still and the shoulder should stay in the selected position.
Watch for:
Arm dropping from the selected overhead position
Elbow bending or straightening if not intended
Wrist flexion during squeezing
Wrist extension during squeezing
Wrist deviation
Forearm rotating into supination or pronation
Shoulder hiking beyond the selected position
Trunk leaning or arching
Neck tension or discomfort
Breath holding
Pain-related guarding
Gripper slipping
The aim is a controlled maximal grip effort in the same overhead neutral position each time.
Use consistent instructions such as:
“Hold the gripper overhead with your forearm in the neutral position.”
“Keep your arm in the same overhead position.”
“When I say go, squeeze as hard as you can.”
“Keep squeezing until I say stop.”
“Keep your wrist, elbow, shoulder and body position still.”
“Keep breathing.”
“Tell me if you feel pain, tingling, numbness, dizziness 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, shoulder discomfort, neck symptoms 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 arm drops from the overhead position
The forearm rotates away from neutral
The wrist position changes substantially
The elbow angle changes when it should remain fixed
The shoulder position changes
The trunk leans or arches
The gripper slips
The handle setting changes
The client starts before the recording is ready
Pain, tingling, numbness, dizziness or cramping limits effort
The client does not understand the task
The effort is clearly submaximal
Record hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder or neck symptoms during and after testing. Also record tingling, numbness, cramping, skin discomfort, callus discomfort, apprehension, confidence, dizziness or unusual symptoms.
Do not repeatedly test through worsening symptoms, significant paraesthesia, strong pain, dizziness, marked shoulder discomfort or severe cramping.
For retesting, match the same device, handle setting, hand order, body position, shoulder position, elbow position, forearm position, wrist position, contraction duration, rest period, scoring method and symptom recording.
The Grip Strength Overhead Neutral Test may be useful for:
Baseline grip strength assessment in an overhead 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 overhead
Climbing, gymnastics, racquet sport, throwing-related training, overhead gym tasks and combat sport contexts
Workplace contexts involving overhead holding, tool use, reaching, lifting, pulling, pushing or manual handling
Fitness and performance contexts
Comparing overhead and non-overhead grip positions
Comparing neutral, supinated 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 an overhead, 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 in an overhead position
Symptom response during overhead gripping
Repeated-trial consistency
Grip force in an overhead neutral-forearm position
It does not fully measure:
Hand function
Dexterity
Endurance, unless a repeated or sustained protocol is used
Shoulder function
Overhead sport performance
Work capacity
Pain source
Tendon status
Nerve function
Readiness for sport or work
A higher score may suggest greater grip force output in that specific overhead 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, scapular control, neck discomfort, 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, shoulder position, overhead tolerance, 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
Scapular control
Neck symptoms
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
Recent overhead workload
Forearm position, including whether the forearm is neutral, pronated or supinated
Whether the arm is overhead, straight, bent or held near the body
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, pronated and supinated grip positions producing different values in some protocols. Overhead position may also change the result by increasing shoulder, scapular and trunk control demands.
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
Overhead tolerance
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 overhead 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 adult Jamar datasets show that grip strength is influenced by age, sex, hand dominance and body size, but those data generally use a bent-arm neutral-forearm position.
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.
Research comparing handgrip testing positions shows that grip strength values can differ across body and arm positions. This supports recording overhead testing as a separate protocol.
Forearm-position research shows that grip strength changes across supinated, neutral and pronated positions. This supports recording the neutral forearm position carefully and avoiding direct comparison between neutral, pronated and supinated tests.
Device type matters. Hydraulic, electronic and spring-based grippers may not produce directly interchangeable values.
Because this protocol uses an overhead arm position, standard elbow-flexed neutral norms should be used only as broad context, not as direct targets.
For this overhead neutral test, interpretation should rely more heavily on baseline comparison, side-to-side comparison, hand dominance, repeated testing, symptoms, confidence, setup consistency, overhead tolerance 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, overhead position tolerance 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 overhead gripping tasks and general exercise goals.
Older adults
Grip strength can provide useful context for carrying, opening objects, general physical capacity and daily tasks. For overhead testing, also consider shoulder comfort, fatigue, balance, neck symptoms, confidence and the ability to maintain the position safely.
Athletes and sport clients
Relevant sports may include climbing, gymnastics, racquet sports, throwing sports, combat sports, martial arts, weightlifting, rowing 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 overhead tool use, 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. Overhead position may also influence shoulder, neck or arm symptoms. 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 body position
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 an overhead arm position, results should be tracked against the same overhead neutral setup rather than compared directly with standard neutral-forearm norms performed near the body.
Common errors include:
Inconsistent handle setting
Inconsistent shoulder position
Arm dropping during the effort
Inconsistent elbow position
Inconsistent wrist position
Forearm drifting out of neutral
Excessive wrist flexion, extension or deviation
Shoulder compensation
Trunk leaning or arching
Neck tension changing the effort
Breath holding
Poor familiarisation
Testing too quickly between trials
Comparing different devices directly
Comparing overhead and non-overhead tests 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.
Overhead values should not be treated as identical to bent-arm or straight-arm values near the body.
Neutral grip values should not be treated as identical to supinated or pronated grip values.
Shoulder or neck symptoms may influence the result even though the gripper measures handgrip force.
The Grip Strength Overhead Neutral Test may be useful for:
Baseline grip strength assessment in an overhead 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, overhead tolerance, 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 overhead grip is lower than non-overhead grip, review whether the difference relates to shoulder position, overhead tolerance, confidence, symptoms, fatigue or task specificity.
If neutral overhead grip differs substantially from pronated or supinated overhead grip, consider whether this reflects forearm-position differences, wrist comfort, task familiarity or symptoms.
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, overhead tolerance, confidence and task-specific demands.
If fatigue appears quickly, consider whether repeated gripping, sustained holds, overhead fatigue, 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: Arm overhead at a recorded angle
Elbow position: Straight, slightly bent or selected angle recorded consistently
Forearm position: Neutral, with thumb direction recorded
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; longer if shoulder, neck or grip fatigue occurs
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, confidence and overhead position tolerance
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 an overhead, neutral forearm position.
Overhead means the arm is held above shoulder level or in a recorded elevated position. Neutral forearm means the hand remains in a mid-position between palm-up and palm-down, often with the thumb direction recorded.
No. Many standard handgrip protocols use the elbow bent and forearm neutral near the body. This test uses an overhead position, so results should be compared with the same 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.
Overhead position can change shoulder, scapular, trunk and neck demands. It may also affect confidence, comfort and stabilisation, so overhead scores should be compared with overhead retests.
Use the same gripper, handle setting, shoulder position, elbow position, forearm position, wrist position, hand order, instructions, contraction duration, rest period and scoring method.
The Grip Strength Overhead Neutral Test measures maximal grip force with the arm overhead and forearm neutral.
Peak grip force is usually the main routine metric.
Overhead values should not be treated as interchangeable with non-overhead grip strength values.
Neutral grip results should not be treated as interchangeable with supinated or pronated grip results.
Shoulder angle, elbow angle, wrist position, handle setting and grip span 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, overhead position, handle setting, peak force, symptoms, confidence, compensations and retesting conditions.
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