The Grip Strength Straight Arm Wrist Extended Test measures how much grip force a client can produce while the elbow is extended and the wrist is held in extension. Wrist extension means the back of the hand moves closer to the back of the forearm. This variation may be useful when a professional wants to understand grip force in an extended-arm and wrist-extended position, which can be relevant to racquet sports, climbing, grappling, gymnastics, carrying, hanging, tool use, pushing, pulling, gym-based tasks and manual work.
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 wrist-extended 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 Wrist Extended Test is a maximal isometric grip assessment performed with the elbow extended and the wrist positioned in extension. The client squeezes the gripper as hard as possible while maintaining the same shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand position.
This test primarily measures grip force output in a specific straight-arm, wrist-extended 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 wrist-extended position is different from the most common standardised handgrip position, which typically uses the elbow flexed to 90 degrees, forearm neutral and wrist near neutral or slight extension. Because both elbow position and wrist position can affect grip force, straight-arm wrist-extended results should be compared with straight-arm wrist-extended retests rather than directly compared with bent-arm, wrist-flexed, neutral-wrist, overhead or standard handgrip protocols.
Wrist extension may place the finger flexors in a more favourable position than wrist flexion for many people, but this does not mean all wrist-extended positions are equivalent. A slightly extended wrist should not be treated as identical to a strongly extended wrist. The angle should be recorded.
Consistent setup matters because small changes in wrist extension angle, handle setting, elbow position, shoulder position, forearm 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 wrist is extended. Record baseline symptoms, hand pain, wrist pain, forearm symptoms, elbow symptoms, shoulder symptoms, neck 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 straight-arm position, wrist-extended position, handle setting and effort required.
Use a repeatable position such as:
Client seated or standing upright
Shoulder relaxed or set to a recorded angle
Arm held straight with the elbow extended
Forearm position recorded as neutral, pronated or supinated
Wrist extended to a recorded angle
Hand holding the gripper without changing wrist extension during the squeeze
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. If the arm is held at a specific shoulder angle, record and repeat that shoulder position.
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 extension angle or description
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 while the arm is straight and wrist is extended, record the chosen setting clearly.
Ask the client to keep the elbow straight, forearm position steady and wrist extended at the chosen angle. The shoulder should remain in the selected position and the trunk should not lean.
Watch for:
Elbow bending during the squeeze
Wrist moving out of extension
Extra wrist extension during the squeeze
Wrist flexion during the squeeze
Wrist deviation
Forearm rotation
Shoulder hiking or arm drifting
Trunk leaning
Breath holding
Pain-related guarding
Gripper slipping
The aim is a controlled maximal grip effort in the same straight-arm wrist-extended position each time.
Use consistent instructions such as:
“Keep your arm straight.”
“Hold your wrist in this extended 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, cramping 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, wrist discomfort, elbow discomfort, shoulder discomfort 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 wrist moves out of the selected extended position
The wrist flexes during the squeeze
The wrist deviates substantially
The forearm rotates unexpectedly
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, shoulder or neck 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, dizziness or severe cramping.
For retesting, match the same device, handle setting, hand order, shoulder position, elbow position, forearm position, wrist extension angle, contraction duration, rest period, scoring method and symptom recording.
The Grip Strength Straight Arm Wrist Extended Test may be useful for:
Baseline grip strength assessment in a straight-arm wrist-extended position
Right-left comparison
Dominant versus non-dominant hand comparison
Progress tracking
Strength profiling
Monitoring change over time
Client education
Comparing straight-arm and bent-arm grip force
Comparing wrist-extended, neutral-wrist and wrist-flexed grip force
Sport contexts where gripping occurs with the wrist extended or arm extended
Workplace contexts involving gripping tools, carrying, lifting, pulling, pushing, manual handling or repeated hand tasks
Fitness and performance contexts
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, wrist-extended 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 gripping in a wrist-extended and straight-arm position
Symptom response during wrist-extended gripping
Repeated-trial consistency
Grip force compared with bent-arm, neutral-wrist or wrist-flexed positions
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
Shoulder capacity
Readiness for sport or work
A higher score may suggest greater grip force output in that specific straight-arm wrist-extended 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 extension angle, elbow position, shoulder position, forearm 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, wrist position, elbow position, shoulder position, sport or work demands, related tests and functional goals.
Important influences include:
Pain
Apprehension
Poor familiarisation
Fatigue
Guarding
Poor positioning
Wrist extension angle
Elbow position
Shoulder position
Forearm 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
Whether wrist extension is actively held or passively positioned
Whether the elbow remains extended throughout the trial
Whether the wrist drifts into flexion, extra extension or deviation during the squeeze
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. Wrist position also matters, and grip force can change when the wrist moves away from the client’s preferred or mechanically favourable position. Standard protocols commonly use a wrist position near neutral to slight extension, but deliberate wrist-extended testing should still be documented as its own protocol.
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 straight-arm wrist-extended 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 wrist-extended 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 between 0 and 30 degrees extension with slight ulnar deviation.
Closest available reference data include:
Standard Jamar-style testing uses a wrist position between 0 and 30 degrees extension, but it also uses the elbow flexed to 90 degrees and the forearm neutral, so it does not directly match this straight-arm protocol.
Wrist-position research shows that grip strength is influenced by wrist position and grasp size. Grip strength may be reduced when the wrist deviates from a self-selected optimal position.
Li’s forceful-grip study found that wrist position significantly affected individual finger force and total force production, with peak finger forces reported around 20 degrees of wrist extension and 5 degrees of ulnar deviation.
Standard handgrip protocols often allow a wrist position close to neutral or slight extension, but this does not mean every wrist-extended angle is interchangeable.
Large adult handgrip datasets show that grip strength is influenced by age, sex, hand dominance and body size, but those data may not match a deliberately straight-arm wrist-extended 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.
Device type matters. Hydraulic, electronic and spring-based grippers may not produce directly interchangeable values.
Because this protocol uses a straight arm and a specific wrist-extended position, interpretation should rely on baseline comparison, side-to-side comparison, repeated testing, symptoms, confidence and setup consistency.
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 wrist extension angle, consistent elbow position, 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, wrist control, elbow position control 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 comparison with bent-arm, neutral-wrist or wrist-flexed grip testing.
Older adults
Grip strength can provide useful context for carrying, opening objects, general physical capacity and daily tasks. For straight-arm wrist-extended testing, also consider shoulder comfort, elbow comfort, wrist comfort, fatigue, confidence and whether the position is tolerated.
Athletes and sport clients
Relevant sports may include climbing, grappling, martial arts, racquet 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. Wrist extension and elbow extension may also influence hand, wrist, elbow, forearm or shoulder 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. Wrist extension may change comfort and grip span tolerance, so record the chosen setting clearly.
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 extension angle
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, forearm neutral and wrist near neutral or slight extension. Because this test uses a straight arm and deliberately recorded wrist-extended position, results should be tracked against the same straight-arm wrist-extended setup rather than compared directly with standard bent-arm norms.
Common errors include:
Inconsistent handle setting
Inconsistent wrist extension angle
Bending the elbow during the effort
Wrist flexing during the squeeze
Excessive wrist extension during the squeeze
Wrist deviation
Inconsistent shoulder position
Forearm rotation
Shoulder compensation
Trunk leaning
Breath holding
Poor familiarisation
Testing too quickly between trials
Comparing wrist-extended and wrist-flexed tests directly
Comparing straight-arm and bent-arm 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.
Wrist-extended values should not be treated as identical to neutral-wrist or wrist-flexed values unless the exact protocol matches.
Straight-arm values should not be treated as identical to bent-arm values.
Wrist or elbow position may influence the result even when hand strength has not changed.
The Grip Strength Straight Arm Wrist Extended Test may be useful for:
Baseline grip strength assessment in a straight-arm wrist-extended position
Right-left comparison
Dominant versus non-dominant comparison
Progress tracking
Strength profiling
Client education
Comparing straight-arm and bent-arm grip capacity
Comparing wrist-extended, neutral-wrist and wrist-flexed grip capacity
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 extension angle, wrist extension strength, wrist flexion 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 wrist-extended grip differs substantially from neutral-wrist grip, consider whether this reflects expected wrist-position differences, comfort, reduced wrist control, forearm fatigue, task familiarity or symptoms.
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 wrist and elbow 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: Record neutral, pronated or supinated
Wrist position: Extended to a recorded angle
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, confidence, wrist position and elbow position
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 extension angle, instructions, contraction duration, rest and scoring method
It measures maximal grip force in a straight-arm, wrist-extended position.
Wrist extended means the back of the hand moves closer to the back of the forearm. The exact angle should be recorded so the test can be repeated.
No. Many standard handgrip protocols use the elbow bent, forearm neutral and wrist near neutral or slight extension. This test uses a straight arm and deliberately recorded wrist-extended position, so results should be compared with the same setup.
Wrist position changes finger muscle length, tendon mechanics and comfort. Research shows wrist position can significantly affect finger force and total grip force.
Elbow and shoulder position can influence stabilisation, comfort and effort. Straight-arm scores should be compared with straight-arm retests rather than assumed to match bent-arm scores.
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.
Use the same gripper, handle setting, wrist extension angle, elbow position, forearm position, hand order, instructions, contraction duration, rest period and scoring method.
The Grip Strength Straight Arm Wrist Extended Test measures maximal grip force with the elbow extended and wrist extended.
Peak grip force is usually the main routine metric.
Wrist-extended values should not be treated as interchangeable with neutral-wrist or wrist-flexed values unless the exact protocol matches.
Straight-arm values should not be treated as interchangeable with bent-arm values.
Standard Jamar-style norms often use 0–30 degrees of wrist extension, but they also use a bent elbow, so they are not a direct match for this test.
Wrist position can significantly affect finger force and total grip force.
Handle setting, grip span, wrist angle, elbow position and forearm 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.
Measurz should capture hand tested, dominance, wrist extension angle, elbow position, handle setting, peak force, symptoms, confidence, compensations and retesting conditions.
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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), 423–429. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afr051
