Muscle StrengthNCT07408986
Reference Values and Reliability of Handgrip Strength Assessment Using a Digital Dynamometer in Healthy Adolescents and Other Populations: A Pilot Observational Study
An observational study of Muscle Strength and Reliability, run by University of Extremadura at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
his study aims to establish reference values and examine the reliability of handgrip strength assessment using a digital dynamometer (VALD DynaMo) in healthy adolescents. Participants will undergo standardized strength evaluations of upper and lower limbs, following international testing guidelines. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Muscle Strength, Reliability, Digital Handgrip Dynamometry
- What is being tested?
- Muscle Strength Assessment using Digital Handheld Dynamometry (VALD Dynamo®)
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 6 Nov 2025to 31 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: The study will include healthy adolescent students (initially aged 15-16 years) from local educational centers collaborating with the University of Extremadura. Participants will undergo non-invasive strength assessments using handheld dynamometry to establish normative reference values. In future phases, the study population may be expanded to include clinical cohorts (e.g., patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological pathologies) to explore the applicability of dynamometry in clinical assessment and rehabilitation contexts.
Who may be able to join
- Healthy adolescents aged 15-16 years (for the current phase).
- Ability to understand and follow verbal instructions.
- Written informed consent provided by parent or legal guardian (for minors).
- Assent given by the adolescent participant.
- In future extensions: individuals aged 10-80 years, including those diagnosed with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological conditions, able to safely perform isometric contractions.
Who cannot join
- History of acute or chronic upper or lower limb injury in the last 6 months.
- Neurological, cardiovascular, or systemic disorders that may limit maximal effort.
- Current pain, inflammation, or post-surgical condition affecting muscle performance.
- Cognitive or communication impairments preventing valid testing.
- Refusal or withdrawal of informed consent at any point.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Spain1 site
Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Avenida de Elvas s/n
Badajoz, Badajoz, 06006
About this study
his study aims to establish reference values and examine the reliability of handgrip strength assessment using a digital dynamometer (VALD DynaMo) in healthy adolescents.
Participants will undergo standardized strength evaluations of upper and lower limbs, following international testing guidelines.
Descriptive variables such as age, sex, height, weight, hand dominance, and physical activity level will also be recorded.
The results will contribute to developing normative data and validating the use of portable dynamometry for musculoskeletal health assessment, with potential future applications in clinical populations.
Read the detailed description
Muscle strength is a key indicator of musculoskeletal health and functional capacity across the lifespan. Handgrip strength, in particular, is widely recognized as a simple and reliable marker of overall strength and health status.
However, normative reference values vary across populations, and limited data exist for adolescents in local or regional contexts.
This observational study will collect handgrip and lower limb strength data using the VALD DynaMo portable dynamometer. The measurements will follow standardized testing positions (American Society of Hand Therapists protocol) to ensure reliability and comparability.
The project will also serve as a pilot for future research on populations with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological conditions, where muscle strength is often compromised.
Participation is voluntary, non-invasive, and without associated risk. All data will be anonymized and stored securely for research purposes only.
- Conditions
- Muscle Strength, Reliability, Digital Handgrip Dynamometry, Adolescents, Healthy Participants
- Being tested
- Muscle Strength Assessment using Digital Handheld Dynamometry (VALD Dynamo®)
- Keywords
- Muscle Strength, Hand Strength, Physical Fitness, Adolescent, Reference Values, Reproducibility of Results, Musculoskeletal System
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Muscle Strength Assessment using Digital Handheld Dynamometry (VALD Dynamo®)Diagnostic test
All participants (healthy or clinical) will perform standardized muscle strength tests using the VALD Dynamo® digital dynamometer.
For upper limb assessments, the protocol will follow the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) recommendations (shoulder neutral, elbow 90°, forearm neutral, wrist 0-30° extension, 0-15° ulnar deviation).
Lower limb tests will include validated isometric protocols for major muscle groups (quadriceps, hamstrings, hip abductors/adductors).
Each test will include three maximal voluntary contractions (3 seconds each) with 60 seconds of rest between trials.
Data will be used to analyze intra- and inter-session reliability, normative reference values, and potential clinical applicability.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Adolescent Group | A single group of healthy adolescents will participate in the study. Each participant will undergo standardized assessments of upper and lower limb muscle strength using digital dynamometry. No treatment or intervention will be applied. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Muscle Strength Assessment using Digital Handheld Dynamometry (VALD Dynamo®) | |
| Clinical Population Group (Future Recruitment) | This group may include participants with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological conditions in future phases of the study. The same standardized dynamometry protocol will be applied to compare muscle strength profiles and assess the applicability of the measurement tools in clinical populations. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Muscle Strength Assessment using Digital Handheld Dynamometry (VALD Dynamo®) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Maximal Isometric Muscle Strength (Handgrip and Lower Limb)
Peak isometric force (in Newtons or kilograms) recorded using a VALD Dynamo® handheld digital dynamometer.
Measurements will follow standardized positioning protocols recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) for upper limb and by recent literature for lower limb testing.
Each participant will perform three maximal voluntary contractions per muscle group, with the highest value recorded for analysis. Unit of Measure: Newtons (N) or Kilograms.
Measured: Single testing session (baseline).
Secondary outcomes (3)
Test-Retest Reliability of Muscle Strength Measures. Maximal Isometric Muscle Strength Handgrip
VALD Dynamo®: Assessment of intra-rater reliability of dynamometry results across two sessions separated by 7-14 days, in a subset of participants and intra-session.
Reliability will be quantified using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and Coefficient of Variation (CV). (%)
Measured: Two sessions separated by 7-14 days.
Descriptive Anthropometric and Activity Variables
Age, sex, height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), dominant hand, and self-reported physical activity level (frequency and type of sport practiced per week).
These variables will be analyzed to explore associations with muscle strength outcomes.
Measured: Collected at baseline (single session).
Clinical Applicability (Optional Future Arm). Maximal Isometric Muscle Strength (Handgrip)
Comparison of muscle strength (kg) profiles between healthy participants and individuals with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological conditions (if included in later phases).
Outcomes will explore between-group differences and responsiveness of the measurement tool in clinical contexts.
Measured: To be determined in future phases
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Feb 2026
- Study start6 Nov 2025
- Primary completion6 Nov 2025
- Study completion31 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Muscle StrengthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Extremadura
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Alejandro Caña Pino, University of Extremadura
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07408986
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 061125
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Reference Values and Reliability of Handgrip Strength Assessment Using a Digital Dynamometer in Healthy Adolescents and Other Populations: A Pilot Observational Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07408986
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 061125
- Conditions
- Muscle Strength, Reliability, Digital Handgrip Dynamometry, Adolescents, Healthy Participants
- Keywords
- Muscle Strength, Hand Strength, Physical Fitness, Adolescent, Reference Values, Reproducibility of Results, Musculoskeletal System
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ExtremaduraUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 6 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 6 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
his study aims to establish reference values and examine the reliability of handgrip strength assessment using a digital dynamometer (VALD DynaMo) in healthy adolescents.
Participants will undergo standardized strength evaluations of upper and lower limbs, following international testing guidelines.
Descriptive variables such as age, sex, height, weight, hand dominance, and physical activity level will also be recorded.
The results will contribute to developing normative data and validating the use of portable dynamometry for musculoskeletal health assessment, with potential future applications in clinical populations.
Detailed description
Muscle strength is a key indicator of musculoskeletal health and functional capacity across the lifespan. Handgrip strength, in particular, is widely recognized as a simple and reliable marker of overall strength and health status.
However, normative reference values vary across populations, and limited data exist for adolescents in local or regional contexts.
This observational study will collect handgrip and lower limb strength data using the VALD DynaMo portable dynamometer. The measurements will follow standardized testing positions (American Society of Hand Therapists protocol) to ensure reliability and comparability.
The project will also serve as a pilot for future research on populations with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological conditions, where muscle strength is often compromised.
Participation is voluntary, non-invasive, and without associated risk. All data will be anonymized and stored securely for research purposes only.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Adolescent Group | – | Diagnostic Test: Muscle Strength Assessment using Digital Handheld Dynamometry (VALD Dynamo®)A single group of healthy adolescents will participate in the study. Each participant will undergo standardized assessments of upper and lower limb muscle strength using digital dynamometry. No treatment or intervention will be applied. |
| Clinical Population Group (Future Recruitment) | – | Diagnostic Test: Muscle Strength Assessment using Digital Handheld Dynamometry (VALD Dynamo®)This group may include participants with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological conditions in future phases of the study. The same standardized dynamometry protocol will be applied to compare muscle strength profiles and assess the applicability of the measurement tools in clinical populations. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- The study will include healthy adolescent students (initially aged 15-16 years) from local educational centers collaborating with the University of Extremadura. Participants will undergo non-invasive strength assessments using handheld dynamometry to establish normative reference values. In future phases, the study population may be expanded to include clinical cohorts (e.g., patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological pathologies) to explore the applicability of dynamometry in clinical assessment and rehabilitation contexts.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Healthy adolescents aged 15-16 years (for the current phase).
- Ability to understand and follow verbal instructions.
- Written informed consent provided by parent or legal guardian (for minors).
- Assent given by the adolescent participant.
- In future extensions: individuals aged 10-80 years, including those diagnosed with musculoskeletal, neurological, or oncological conditions, able to safely perform isometric contractions.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of acute or chronic upper or lower limb injury in the last 6 months.
- Neurological, cardiovascular, or systemic disorders that may limit maximal effort.
- Current pain, inflammation, or post-surgical condition affecting muscle performance.
- Cognitive or communication impairments preventing valid testing.
- Refusal or withdrawal of informed consent at any point.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Strength Assessment using Digital Handheld Dynamometry (VALD Dynamo®)All participants (healthy or clinical) will perform standardized muscle strength tests using the VALD Dynamo® digital dynamometer. For upper limb assessments, the protocol will follow the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) recommendations (shoulder neutral, elbow 90°, forearm neutral, wrist 0-30° extension, 0-15° ulnar deviation). Lower limb tests will include validated isometric protocols for major muscle groups (quadriceps, hamstrings, hip abductors/adductors). Each test will include three maximal voluntary contractions (3 seconds each) with 60 seconds of rest between trials. Data will be used to analyze intra- and inter-session reliability, normative reference values, and potential clinical applicability. | Diagnostic test | Clinical Population Group (Future Recruitment), Healthy Adolescent Group |
Primary outcome
Maximal Isometric Muscle Strength (Handgrip and Lower Limb)
Time frame: Single testing session (baseline).
Peak isometric force (in Newtons or kilograms) recorded using a VALD Dynamo® handheld digital dynamometer. Measurements will follow standardized positioning protocols recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) for upper limb and by recent literature for lower limb testing. Each participant will perform three maximal voluntary contractions per muscle group, with the highest value recorded for analysis. Unit of Measure: Newtons (N) or Kilograms.
3 secondary outcomes
Test-Retest Reliability of Muscle Strength Measures. Maximal Isometric Muscle Strength Handgrip
Time frame: Two sessions separated by 7-14 days.
Descriptive Anthropometric and Activity Variables
Time frame: Collected at baseline (single session).
Clinical Applicability (Optional Future Arm). Maximal Isometric Muscle Strength (Handgrip)
Time frame: To be determined in future phases
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Feb 2026.
Related trials for Muscle Strength
Not yet recruiting
ACUTE EFFECTS OF HIGH-INTENSITY LASER THERAPY ON PAIN, MUSCLE STIFFNESS, AND GRIP STRENGTH IN HEALTHY ADULTS
Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue, Fatigue Recovery
Not yet recruiting
Feasibility of Resisted Expiratory Muscle Training for Females Assigned at Birth With Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Pilot Study
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Recruiting
Effects of Urolithin A Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Adults 55 >= Years Old: A Randomized Triple-Masked Controlled Clinical Trial
Healthy Volunteer
Recruiting
The Effect of Different Exercise Training Programs on Muscle Oxygenation in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of Knee
Enrolling by invitation
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Muscle Strength
Muscle Strength, Cognitive Function Assessment
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Muscle Strength and Reliability, run by University of Extremadura at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Maximal Isometric Muscle Strength (Handgrip and Lower Limb) (time frame: Single testing session (baseline).). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Feb 2026.