INTRODUCTION: There are different sports that use the hand as a major body segment involved in performance: judo, tennis, sailing, rowing, boxing, weightlifting and others. Handgrip strength is required in sports where the level of force generated can be the difference in the final performance. Manual dynamometry is a valuable tool that can be used in the detection of sporting talents, training control and in the assessment of injury recovery. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to review the main methodological aspects involved in the measurement of hand grip strength, using the JamarTM dynamometer and identifying the features of validity, reliability, precision, position for doing the test, handle position, instructions, number of measures, rest period between attempts, duration of contraction, and pre-test heating. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search of the literature available on the area was carried out, using the databases of MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS. The keywords used were: handgrip strength, manual dynomometry, hand, grip, strength, dynamometer, Jamar, norms and reference values. CONCLUSION: The values of handgrip strength displayed by the athletes differ according to sport, sex, body weight, level of the athlete, age and type of training. Handgrip strength should be present in the batteries of tests to identify potential sporting talents.
Hand strength; Muscle strength dynamometer; Sports
