Reliability of the use of Camry versus Jamar dynamometer

Abstract

The Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer is a valid and reliable but high-cost manual device commonly used to evaluate hand grip strength (HGS). Currently, digital dynamometers with automatic calibration, such as Camry, have been proposed as a more appropriate alternative for HGS evaluation. This study aimed to compare the outcome measures of Camry and Jamar dynamometers in healthy adults and to investigate the reliability and validity of Camry devices. This cross-sectional study employed a random crossover method. Bilateral HGS data were collected from 78 participants (37 males and 41 females) using the Camry and Jamar dynamometers and compared. Correlation analysis between the measurements was performed to determine the validity and reliability of the Camry dynamometer. A strong positive correlation was found between the Jamar and Camry devices for right-left average and maximum HGS measures (right average HGS: r=0.959, p=0.000; right maximum HGS: r=0.958, p=0.000; left average HGS: r=0.948, p=0.000; left maximum HGS: r=0.944, p=0.000). The intra-class correlation coefficient for consistency between the device’s HGS measures was >97%. The Camry dynamometer provides excellent reliability and validity for evaluating HGS in healthy adults in Türkiye. This device can be easily used in clinical settings and academic research owing to its digital nature, which is practical, easy, and cost-effective.