Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine, for measurements of lateral trunk flexion strength obtained by hand-held dynamometry, the reliability and effects of side of dominance, gender, age, weight, and height. Twenty six subjects (19 women, seven men) 50 to 79 years of age participated. Lateral trunk flexion strength was measured bilaterally with a strain gauge dynamometer while subjects were seated and manually stabilized. Repeated measurements differed significantly, but intrasession values were reliable (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.95) bilaterally. Measurements of the dominant and nondominant side were significantly different but highly correlated. Gender, weight, and height were, but age was not, correlated significantly with strength. The multiple correlation of gender, weight, and height with strength was 0.906 on the dominant side and 0.883 on the nondominant side. The results suggest that side, gender, weight, and height should be considered when reporting normal values.