Avaliação da força muscular do membro inferior por meio da dinamometria de mão - uma revisão narrativa.

Abstract

The present study uses the literature review methodology, with the aim of extracting the best technique for using the portable manual dynamometer, testing its reliability and validity, as it is a promising device in this context, since it is accessible, low cost and easy to use. In this research, the method of analysis of works carried out in English, related to the lower limbs, which produced tests to assess the reliability and validity of manual dynamometers was used. The need to use a belt to assist in the stabilization of the adjacent joint for clinical care was also discussed. Fourteen studies were analyzed on the reliability of the values obtained by the manual dynamometer, when compared between testers, intra-evaluator and between the portable and the gold standard, the isokinetic. The relationship between the best positions to assess the strength of certain muscles was also discussed, especially strong muscles, such as those of the lower limbs. One of the limitations of this review is the fact that it includes studies only in English, since there may be other relevant articles in other languages. Another restriction is related to the age of the participants, as the studies brought populations involving adults aged between 22 and 36 years and did not include populations including the elderly and children. Despite the conclusions obtained, more studies are still needed on this subject so that more accurate measurements can be taken on muscle strength in clinical practice.