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Both anthropometric and functional measurements have been used in nutritional assessment and monitoring. Hand dynamometry is a predictor of surgical outcome and peak expiratory flow rate has been used as an index of respiratory muscle function. This study aims to measure in normal subjects the relationship between anthropometric measurements, voluntary muscle strength by hand grip dynamometry and respiratory muscle function by peak expiratory flow rate.Ninety-eight subjects (46 male, 52 female) with a mean age of 45.9 years were studied. Hand grip strength was measured in the dominant and non-dominant hands with a portable strain-gauge dynamometer. Peak expiratory flow rate was measured using a mini-Wright peak flow meter. Three readings were taken, each 1 min apart, and the average recorded. Midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) was derived from triceps skin fold thickness and midarm circumference (MAC) using standard anthropometric techniques. Statistical relationships were measured with Pearson's coefficient of correlation.In both sexes there was significant correlation between hand grip strength in the dominant and non-dominant hands and peak expiratory flow rate (P0.001). In men, there was a positive correlation between MAMC, hand grip strength (P0.001) and peak expiratory flow rate (P0.001). In women muscle function correlated with height (P0.001) but not MAMC (P0.05).In normal subjects bedside tests of skeletal and respiratory muscle function correlated with each other in both sexes, and with muscle mass in men but not in women.

Summary Background & Aims : The optimal testing position for hand grip strength, which is a useful functional measure of nutritional status, is open to debate. We therefore examined the systematic difference between different postures in order to establish a methodology that is clinically relevant, easy to perform and reproducible. Methods : Grip strength was measured in the dominant and non-dominant hands with a strain gauge dynamometer in three positions: lying at 30° in bed with elbows supported, seated in an armchair with elbows supported and in a chair with elbows unsupported. The average of three readings made in each position, each 1min apart, was recorded. Results : 55 normally nourished subjects (26 male) were studied. Mean (95% CI) grip strengths measured in the dominant hand with the subject in bed, sitting in an armchair and sitting in a chair were 45.7 (42.3–49.2), 46.3 (42.9–49.8) and 48.5 (45.4–51.7)kg, respectively for males. Corresponding values for females were 29.4 (27.0–31.8), 29.3 (26.8–31.9) and 31.6 (28.8–34.3)kg. There was no significant difference (Student t -paired test) between measurements made in bed and on an armchair ( P = 0.49 ), but the measurements made in a chair were significantly higher than those made in bed ( P = 0.001 ) and in an armchair ( P = 0.004 ). No statistical difference was present, comparing the three separate measurements in each position (Student t -paired test). Conclusions : Measurement of grip strength using hand dynamometry is reproducible and consistent. As all patients are not able to sit in a chair with elbows unsupported, in clinical practice it is more practicable to perform hand dynamometry with the elbows supported in a bed or armchair.