For instance the curl up test.

Thanks for the answer Virginia :) however, while the curl up test mostly focuses on abdominal strength we want to check the strength of the entire upperbody. it would also be nice to be able to use a test which could be linked to general muscular function. also, as far as i know, it is challenging to get quality results using the curl up test in a patient group with CLBP patients since the back pain can be a limiting factor in "give it all". however, we migth add it as a supplementary test :)

Dear Vegard, I did not mean the abdominal curl up, I was referring to the arm curl up test developed by Rikli and Jones: Rikli RE, Jones J. Development and validation of a functional fitness test for community residing older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 1999;7:129-61.

See also: Development and validation of criterion-referenced clinically relevant fitness standards for maintaining physical independence in later years.

Oh yeah! Pardon my misunderstanding! That is a much more relevant test for our project. Thanks a lot for the tip. Much appriciated :) please let me know if you think of any other good measures. particularly if you know of any specific fieldtest for measuring low back strength (not biering-sorensen test)

Hello,

It is very common in strength training studies the 1RM test in the bench press and lat pull down. It is very simple to lead, insurance, reliable, repeated and demands simple strength equipment.

But If you are thinking to make some intervention I suggest to think in the specifity of the test, because strength gains are very specifics to the movement pattern used in the exercises utilized training/intervention.

I hope helped

Saulo Gil

University of São Paulo

Nucleus of High Performance in Sports

I recommend hand grip. Requires a dynamometer. measures the concentration of power of all body in one moment, but can also serve the purpose of your research with regard to circumstance.

You could try something like this.

Koller, M., Gledhill, N., Payne, N., Jamnik, V., Fisher, K., & Gordon, C.

Evaluation of a New Force Meter for Assessing Upper Body Strength. Medicine

& Science in Sports & Exercise, 31, 5, May 1999

I would also viewing tools from metriks.ca. They have some good tools for field measurement.

If you want to measure not only strength but also muscular endurance in many participants, I recommend that you use Push-up test as a field test. There are many variations of the push up test that you can choose such as Army Push Up Test, Navy Push Up Test, Chair Push Up, maximum push up test and etc. Good luck for your study.

I would recommend use of a hand-held dynamometer, that is a dynamometer held by the examiner and applied against the patient. Hand-held dynamometers are portable and lightweight. More than 500 articles have been published that report their use. I have used them to measure the strength of the shoulder flexors, extensors, abductors, medial rotators and lateral rotators, elbow flexors and extensors, forearm pronators and supinators, and wrist extensors. Normative values are available for some of the aforementioned muscle actions.

Thanks for all the answers! I`m really greatful that people take their time to read questions and give thorough answers! I will discuss all possibilities with my research group, and hopefully we`ll end up with a solid test battery :)

In this paper we use Bosco MAT to evaluate muscular strength of arms:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235733024_Evaluacin_de_la_fuerza_del_tren_superior_con_plataforma_de_contacto?ev=prf_pub

Good Luck

Article Evaluación de la fuerza del tren superior con plataforma de contacto

Like Virginia Aparicio, I also recommend the 30-s arm curl, adapted form the Functional Fitness test developed by Rikli and Jones. I recently used this particularly test in a paper (attached).

Dear Vegard.

I would recommend use an isokinetic strength test (such as Biodex, Cybex etc). The results are often reported at different speeds so that a speed/strength/power relationship can be seen. Comparison of the relative strengths of the different sides of the body, or agonists versus antagonists (e.g. quads & hamstrings) can show specific muscular limitations.

Well, due to the cost of these machines, it depends on the University to provide you this equipment.

I think that a search at the Pubmed on Kellis Spyridon and Zafeiridis Andreas, certainly will help you.

Partially find the answer to your question in this publication. Refers to a diagnosis of symmetry tensions different parts of the body in a particular case condition.

Diagnostyka deficytów funkcjonalnych w postawie ciała

Beata Żuk, Katarzyna Stanicka, Berenika Żuk-Drążyk, Krystyna Księżopolska-Orłowska

Reumatologia 2013; 51, 6: 452–458

DOI (digital object identifier): 10.5114/reum.2013.39665

Since you are doing low back and neck, I think a possibility is the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test by Goldbeck and Davies. Test-retest reliability of the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test: a clinical field test. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 2000; 9: 35-45.

Hello there,

Luke Delvecchio here! Yes, the push/pull dynamometer is a great field test for assessing upper body strength. I use it very regularly and it also allows me to gain insights into any imbalances between the shoulder joint adductors/abductors. Critically, it allows valid and reliable measures of upper body strength.

Luke

Dear Vegar, I am new on ResearchGate and this is the first question I participate on. When we talk about strength probably we should specify what do we exactly want to measure (type of strength). Knowing who do you want to measure will help to get a more precise answer. The subject(s) play an specific sport? Are very fit individuals or newcomers?

Do you intent to measure strength as a health, fitness or skill status?

I agree with Mr. Bohannon, however, here in Brazil is quite difficult to get a hand held dynamometer. Therefore, another interesting option, which in addition to presents appropriate psychometric qualities is inexpensive, is the load cell.

interested in any kind of strength? What population is it going to be testedt? . Is it for mere fitness or are you aiming to some specific sport /activity. There are different types of strength test I use with my athletes. Please reply and I pass you some info.

Hello Vegard, as far as I am aware there aren't any general upper body strength tests. You mention the hand-grip test, which measures strength in the hands and likely wrists and since they are located in the upper body, are sometimes considered a general measure. Not so. No such measure exists because upper body strength involves the sum (somehow to be calculated?) of strength in numerous upper body muscle groups, e.g. biceps, triceps, deltoids, traps, lats, etc.... Measure the strength of them all and perhaps obtain an overall measure somehow. Being formal about it, some kind of regression?

Have you considered this recent publication?

The single-bout forearm critical force test: a new method to establish forearm aerobic metabolic exercise intensity and capacity. Kellawan 2014

For a more generic upper body test which I have successfully used in the past, you may want to consider the seated medicine ball throw, which is particularly useful in older cohorts.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Harris%20C%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=21572350

how about the seven stage situp test and 1 min pushup test.

These are really basic strength tests.

Seated medicine ball test may a better solution

http://www.topendsports.com/testing/tests/medicine-ball-throw-seated.htm