Research Article

Grip and Knee extension muscle strength reflect a common construct among adults

  1. Richard W. Bohannon DPT, EdD1,*,
  2. Susan R. Magasi PhD2,
  3. Deborah J. Bubela PhD1,
  4. Ying-Chih Wang PhD3,
  5. Richard C. Gershon PhD2

Article first published online: 13 SEP 2012

DOI: 10.1002/mus.23350

Issue

Muscle & Nerve

Muscle & Nerve

Volume 46, Issue 4, pages 555–558, October 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Bohannon, R. W., Magasi, S. R., Bubela, D. J., Wang, Y.-C. and Gershon, R. C. (2012), Grip and Knee extension muscle strength reflect a common construct among adults. Muscle Nerve, 46: 555–558. doi: 10.1002/mus.23350

Author Information

  1. 1

    Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Kinesiology, U-2101, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-2101 USA

  2. 2

    Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA

  3. 3

    Department of Occupational Science and Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

*Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Kinesiology, U-2101, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-2101 USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 SEP 2012
  2. Article first published online: 13 SEP 2012
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 24 FEB 2012 06:21AM EST
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 2 FEB 2012

Funded by

  • Neuroscience Research and the Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet)
  • National Institutes of Health. Grant Number: HHS-N-260-2006-00007-C

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Keywords:

  • grip;
  • knee;
  • measurement;
  • muscle;
  • strength

Abstract

Introduction: Both grip and knee extension strength are often used to characterize overall limb muscle strength. We sought to determine if the measures actually reflect a common construct. Methods: The isometric grip and knee extension strength of 164 healthy men and women (range, 18–85 years) were measured bilaterally using standard procedures. Pearson correlations (r), Cronbach alpha, principal components analysis, and multiple regression/correlation were used to investigate the dimensionality of the measures. Results: Left and right grip forces and knee extension torques were highly correlated, internally consistent, and loaded on a single component. Gender and age explained the variance in both measures, but height added to the explanation of grip strength, whereas weight added to the explanation of knee extension strength. Conclusions: Among healthy adults, grip and knee extension strength reflect a common underlying construct. The measures, however, are affected differently by height and weight. Muscle Nerve 46: 555–558, 2012

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