Development of equipments to measure isometric wrist and forearm strength

Abstract

The aim, in this study, was to elaborate two torquemeters to analyze the isometric strength during maximum voluntary contractions in movements of wrist and forearm. After the equipments were created, using appropriated material, pilot tests were conducted to university students as volunteers and torques measures were registered. There was a significant difference between the genders, when the strength performed in neutral wrist position was compared. As for the forearm pronation and supination measures, the men achieved higher strength than the women, in all positions of initial analysis. There were significant differences when the laterality was compared, that is, there were higher values of the right forearm pronation and supination (Nm) than of the left one, for both men (209.95±55.93 to pronation and 211.94±62.76 to supination) and women (98.42±34.68 to pronation and 89.60±28.10 to supination). It is possible, with the equipments, to compare the maximum muscular voluntary contraction and the one performed in laboral activities that require strength movements of wrist and forearm.