The Wrist Ulnar Deviation [Muscle Meter] test measures how much force a client can produce when moving the wrist toward the little-finger side against resistance. It is commonly used to assess wrist ulnar deviation force output in a controlled isometric setup. This can provide useful context for gripping, racquet sports, throwing, climbing, tool use, manual tasks, upper-limb strength profiling and progress tracking.
The Muscle Meter is used to measure force output during the test. When used on its own, the Muscle Meter primarily measures peak force, which is the highest force value produced during the effort. When used with Measurz, Muscle Meter data can be recorded and analysed with broader strength and force-time metrics, including peak force, impulse, torque, rate of force development, time to peak and fatigue index.
For routine wrist ulnar deviation testing, peak force is usually the main metric when the device position is consistent. Torque may be useful if the lever arm is measured and a more biomechanical interpretation is needed. Force as a percentage of body weight may be recorded if directly calculated, but for wrist ulnar deviation it is usually less central than side-to-side comparison, torque where available and baseline retesting. Rate of force development and time to peak may be useful when rapid wrist force matters, such as racquet sport, bat sport, combat sport, throwing or tool-use tasks. Impulse may be useful if sustained force over a defined time window is intentionally tested. Fatigue index is only relevant if repeated or sustained wrist ulnar deviation contractions are part of the protocol.
The result can support assessment reasoning and progress tracking, but it does not diagnose wrist pain, tendon injury, nerve injury, ligament injury, instability, sport readiness or work capacity on its own.
The Wrist Ulnar Deviation [Muscle Meter] test is an isometric wrist strength assessment.
The client attempts to move the wrist toward the little-finger side against the Muscle Meter without visible movement. The forearm is usually supported, and the wrist is positioned in neutral or another standardised start position.
The test primarily reflects wrist ulnar deviation force output in the chosen setup. Depending on position and stabilisation, it may involve flexor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi ulnaris, wrist stabilisers, grip contribution and forearm stabilisation.
Consistent setup matters because forearm position, wrist start position, elbow angle, grip, device placement, lever arm, strap angle, stabilisation and client effort can all affect the result. This test measures force output in a specific setup. It does not fully measure hand function, grip capacity, wrist health, work capacity or sport performance on its own.
Explain that the test measures how strongly they can move the wrist toward the little finger side (ulnar deviation) against the Muscle Meter.
Record baseline:
wrist pain
little finger-side wrist pain
forearm discomfort
grip discomfort
fatigue
recent upper-limb activity
confidence with the test
Perform 1–2 submaximal practice trials so the client understands the movement and avoids compensating through the forearm, elbow or shoulder.
Use a consistent testing position.
A common setup is:
Seated upright
Shoulder adducted against the trunk
Elbow flexed to 90°
Forearm in neutral rotation
Wrist in 0° flexion/extension and neutral radial/ulnar deviation
Fingers relaxed or lightly gripping the handle (if used)
Record:
Body position
Side tested
Shoulder position
Elbow angle
Forearm position
Wrist starting position
Whether the forearm was supported
Align the Muscle Meter so resistance is applied perpendicular to the direction of ulnar deviation.
If torque is being measured, record the distance from the centre of the capitate (approximate wrist joint axis) to the device contact point.
Record:
Lever arm length (if applicable)
Handle used
Grip position
Position the Muscle Meter against the ulnar border of the fifth metacarpal, immediately proximal to the fifth metacarpal head.
Avoid placing the device directly over the little finger or wrist joint.
Record the anatomical contact point to ensure consistent placement during future assessments.
Stabilise the distal forearm immediately proximal to the radial and ulnar styloid processes.
Maintain:
forearm in neutral rotation
elbow flexed to 90°
wrist in neutral
Prevent compensation through:
forearm pronation or supination
elbow movement
shoulder movement
wrist flexion or extension
trunk movement
Use consistent instructions such as:
"Move your wrist toward your little finger."
"Build the pressure gradually."
"Push as hard as you can."
"Keep your forearm still."
"Keep your wrist straight."
"Keep breathing."
"Tell me if you feel pain, tingling or cramping."
Use the same instructions during every reassessment.
Use:
1–2 familiarisation trials
2–3 maximal trials
3–5 second contractions
30–60 seconds rest between efforts
Record whether the final score is:
Highest trial, or
Average of recorded trials
Use the same scoring method during future testing.
Repeat or discard a trial if:
the elbow moves
the forearm rotates
the wrist flexes or extends
the hand grips excessively
the Muscle Meter slips
the force direction changes
pain limits maximal effort
the client starts before instructed
The Wrist Ulnar Deviation [Muscle Meter] test is used to quantify wrist ulnar deviation force output in a repeatable setup.
It may be useful for:
baseline wrist strength assessment
side-to-side comparison
monitoring change over time
tracking strength after reduced loading
supporting wrist, elbow and hand strength profiling
assessing gripping, racquet, bat, throwing, climbing or tool-use context
comparing ulnar deviation with radial deviation, grip strength and forearm rotation strength
client education
The test should support assessment reasoning. It should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic or clearance measure.
The test primarily measures isometric wrist ulnar deviation force in the chosen setup.
It may provide useful information about:
ulnar deviation force capacity
side-to-side force difference
confidence producing wrist force
pain response during resisted ulnar deviation
change in force over time
relationship between wrist strength and grip, lifting, sport or work tasks
It does not directly measure:
isolated flexor carpi ulnaris strength
isolated extensor carpi ulnaris strength
wrist diagnosis
nerve function
tendon integrity
ligament integrity
grip strength
hand function
sport readiness
work readiness
A higher score may suggest greater ulnar deviation force output in that specific setup. A lower score may suggest reduced force output, but the reason should be interpreted carefully.
Lower force may be influenced by pain, apprehension, poor familiarisation, fatigue, grip discomfort, wrist symptoms, inconsistent device placement, poor stabilisation, reduced confidence or poor lever-arm control.
One result should not be interpreted in isolation. Interpretation is strongest when the same setup is repeated over time and reviewed alongside symptoms, confidence, movement quality, related tests and functional goals.
Important influences include:
forearm position
wrist start position
elbow angle
grip
device placement
lever arm
strap angle
stabilisation
shoulder position
pain
fatigue
familiarisation
client confidence
professional strength if handheld
There are currently very limited published normative values for wrist ulnar deviation strength measured using a handheld dynamometer. Similar to wrist radial deviation, most research has focused on the reliability of testing methods rather than establishing comprehensive normative data across different populations. Therefore, clinicians should prioritise comparing the affected and unaffected sides, monitoring changes over time, and considering the client's functional demands rather than relying solely on population norms.
The best available evidence suggests the following approximate values for healthy adults:
Adult males: approximately 11–14 kg
Adult females: approximately 8–10 kg
These values should be interpreted with caution, as strength measurements vary depending on the testing position, dynamometer used, stabilisation, lever arm, and testing protocol. A side-to-side difference greater than 10–15% may indicate a clinically meaningful deficit and should be interpreted alongside the client's symptoms, function, and overall assessment findings
Use this order:
compare with the client’s own baseline
compare right and left sides when relevant
compare radial deviation and ulnar deviation when both are tested
consider symptoms during and after testing
consider grip comfort and effort quality
review whether compensations were present
compare with related grip, wrist, elbow and shoulder tests
relate the result to sport, work or daily-life demands
retest under the same conditions to monitor change
do not use reference values as pass/fail criteria
Use for maximum ulnar deviation force output, baseline strength, side-to-side comparison, progress tracking and comparing force across retests.
Look for best score or average score, consistent setup, side-to-side difference, change from baseline, pain response and compensation during maximal effort.
Use only when calculated directly from test force and body weight.
This can be recorded, but for wrist ulnar deviation it is usually less central than side-to-side comparison, torque where available and baseline tracking.
Torque may be useful for wrist deviation testing because the result depends on the lever arm.
Use torque only when the lever arm is measured. Record the lever arm from the wrist joint axis to the contact point or handle point.
Use when rapid wrist force production matters, such as racquet sport, bat sport, throwing, combat sport, tool use or fast upper-limb reactions.
Look for early force production and whether RFD changes while peak force stays similar.
Use to understand whether force is produced quickly or gradually.
Look for delayed peak force, faster time to peak across retests, and whether a slower time reflects caution, pain, poor cueing or actual performance difference.
Use only if a sustained force window is intentionally tested.
Look for whether the client can produce and sustain force briefly and whether impulse improves while peak force stays similar.
Use only if repeated or sustained ulnar deviation contractions are part of the protocol.
Look for drop-off across repeated trials, symptom-related fatigue and whether fatigue improves across a training block.
Consider growth, coordination, attention, hand size, grip familiarity and sport participation. Practice trials are important so the client understands wrist movement rather than elbow or forearm movement.
Use the test for baseline strength, progress tracking and confidence with gripping and wrist loading. Compare results with grip strength, radial deviation and daily task demands.
Consider grip comfort, wrist symptoms, ulnar-side wrist symptoms, fatigue, daily task requirements and confidence. A lower score may provide useful context, but it should not be interpreted without functional assessment.
Consider racquet sports, throwing, climbing, grappling, combat sports, golf, cricket, baseball, tennis and gym tasks. Peak force alone does not equal sport performance, but it can support a broader upper-limb strength profile.
Consider tool use, lifting, carrying, gripping, turning, twisting and repeated hand tasks. Do not use one strength score to clear work duties.
Use the test to monitor force output, confidence and symptom response over time. Strength alone should not confirm readiness.
Pain, fear, guarding, fatigue, apprehension and confidence may influence force. Record symptoms carefully and compare with related findings.
Absolute force, torque and side-to-side comparison may be more useful than bodyweight percentage for this test. Interpret results in relation to goals, symptoms and function.
Repeatability improves when the same setup is used each time.
Record and standardise:
same body position
same side tested
same shoulder position
same elbow angle
same forearm position
same wrist start position
same grip position
same device placement
same lever arm if torque is calculated
same strap setup, if used
same stabilisation
same instructions
same contraction duration
same rest period
same scoring method
same symptom and compensation recording
Wrist strength measurement using handheld dynamometry can be useful, but reliability depends heavily on standardised protocol, wrist position, device placement and stabilisation.
Handheld testing may be affected by the professional’s ability to stabilise the device. Fixed or strap-stabilised setups can improve consistency where available.
Common errors include:
inconsistent device placement
changing wrist start position
changing forearm position
allowing wrist flexion or extension
allowing forearm rotation
allowing elbow movement
grip slipping
not measuring lever arm when using torque
device slipping
strap or anchor movement
breath holding
testing through high pain
comparing different protocols directly
treating the score as a diagnosis
Limitations include:
testing is setup-dependent
force values depend on lever arm
manual resistance may be limited by professional strength
grip discomfort can limit effort
Muscle Meter-specific universal norms may be limited
pain, fear or guarding can reduce force output
peak force does not measure endurance or functional task performance
side-to-side symmetry does not automatically mean function is ready for sport or work
The Wrist Ulnar Deviation [Muscle Meter] test may be useful for:
establishing a baseline
tracking wrist ulnar deviation strength over time
comparing right and left sides
comparing ulnar deviation with radial deviation
reviewing torque if lever arm is measured
monitoring response to exercise or intervention
supporting wrist, elbow and grip strength profiling
educating the client about measurable progress
reviewing sport, gym, work or daily-life demands
If force is low on both sides, consider assessing grip strength, wrist ROM, radial deviation strength, forearm rotation, elbow symptoms and confidence with wrist loading.
If one side is much lower, compare with symptoms, injury history, sport demands, grip strength, radial deviation and functional tasks.
If pain limits the result, record the pain response and review whether the test position, pressure point, grip or effort level needs modification.
If force is good but function is limited, compare with grip endurance, tool use, racquet or throwing tasks, wrist stability and sport or work demands.
If the client is improving, keep the same protocol and monitor whether strength, symptoms, confidence and function improve together.
Position: Seated, forearm supported
Start position: Wrist neutral or selected start position, forearm standardised
Joint or trunk angle: Record shoulder position, elbow angle, forearm position and wrist position
Trials: 1–2 practice trials, then 2–3 recorded trials
Contraction duration: 3–5 seconds
Rest: 30–60 seconds between efforts
Metric: Peak force; torque if lever arm is measured; percentage of body weight only if directly calculated
Attachment or device setup: Muscle Meter positioned to resist wrist ulnar deviation
Final score: Best trial or average of trials
Key retesting requirement: Same position, device placement, lever arm, instructions, contraction duration, rest and scoring method
It measures isometric wrist ulnar deviation force output in a specific setup.
No. Ulnar deviation is movement toward the little-finger side. Wrist flexion is bending the wrist forward.
Force is useful if setup is consistent. Torque is useful if the lever arm is measured and you want a more biomechanical measure.
It can be if calculated directly, but side-to-side comparison, baseline tracking and torque are often more relevant for wrist deviation testing.
Published universal Muscle Meter norms for this exact protocol are limited. Matched protocols and baseline comparison are usually more useful.
No. It can measure force output, but it does not diagnose the cause of symptoms on its own.
Different wrist position, forearm position, device placement, lever arm, grip, stabilisation, fatigue, pain and inconsistent instructions can affect results.
Record side, forearm position, wrist position, device placement, lever arm if used, peak force, torque if calculated, symptoms, compensations and retest conditions.
Wrist Ulnar Deviation [Muscle Meter] measures isometric force toward the little-finger side of the wrist.
Peak force is useful when the setup is consistent.
Torque is useful when the lever arm is measured.
Bodyweight percentage is optional and should only be used when directly calculated.
Side-to-side comparison, radial deviation comparison and retesting consistency are usually more useful than broad norms.
Measurz should capture setup, symptoms, lever arm, force or torque, compensations and retesting conditions.
Aerts, F., Sheets, H., & colleagues. (2025). Reliability and agreement of hand-held dynamometry using three standard rater test positions. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 20(2), 253–262. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.128286
Mazzocato, D., Biasol, V., Arcuri, P., Fairplay, T., Vita, F., Danilo, D., Zanin, D., Boccolari, P., & Tedeschi, R. (2025). Improving wrist strength assessment reliability: A review of handheld dynamometry protocols and their clinical implications. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(14), 5059. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14145059
Moraux, A., Canal, A., Ollivier, G., Ledoux, I., Doppler, V., Payan, C., & Hogrel, J.-Y. (2023). Psychometric properties of a standardized protocol of muscle strength assessment by hand-held dynamometry in healthy adults. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 24, 311. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06400-2
Schreuders, T. A. R., Roebroeck, M. E., Goumans, J., van Nieuwenhuijzen, J. F., Stijnen, T. H., & Stam, H. J. (2003). Measurement error in grip and pinch force measurements in patients with hand injuries. Physical Therapy, 83(9), 806–815.
