5. Conclusions
The hand-held dynamometer showed high absolute and relative
reliability during isometric flexion, abduction, and internal and
external rotation among healthy subjects. Further, the EMG
showed acceptable relative reliability when measuring muscle
activity from m. trapezius superior and deltoideus anterior in isometric
submaximal flexion, abduction and a dynamic arm movement. Therefore, the outcome measurements have the potential
to detect changes in muscle strength and muscle activity. The current
protocol may be used in patient populations but the use of
normalization with respect to MVC can be problematic.