Predictors of muscle strength assessed with the modified sphygmomanometer test.

Objectives: To investigate the best predictor of muscle strength assessed with both Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) methods (bag adaptation and non-adapted) and to provide normative values for these two MST methods for the strength assessment of the trunk, upper, and lower limb muscles.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: The strength of 42 muscle groups were assessed with the MST in the bag adaptation and non-adapted methods in 120 healthy individuals, 50 % males, divided into three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-79) with 40 subjects per group.

The modified sphygmomanometer test for assessment of muscle strength of community-dwelling older adults in clinical practice: reliability and validity.

Purpose: (a) to investigate the test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities and the criterion-related validity of the modified sphygmomanometer test (MST) for the assessment of muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults, (b) to calculate the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the smallest real difference (SRD); (c) to verify whether the number of trials affect the results.

Methods: Bilateral strength of lower limbs (LL) and grip muscles were evaluated with the MST and with portable dynamometers in 50 older adults (69.92 ± 5.