Dr. Arieh N. Gilai. Head, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Alyn Children Rehabilitation Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
The Dynamometer is a medical instrument designed to measure accurately and quickly muscle group functions for use in a wide range of neuromuscular disciplines. Dynamometry is the precise quantitative measure of strength, endurance and anaerobic power by means of a dynamometer. These measurements are critical for identifying strength deficits, determining clinical progression of neuromuscular weakness as well as assessing the response to an intervention. The graphic record that may result from the use of a dynamometer is called a Dynagram. Dynamometers were invented in Europe during the second half of the 18th century.
Early Dynamometers were very simple mechanical devices that measure the muscle contractile force under isometric condition when the contracting muscle length is constant. These dynamometers were constructed with either in the form of a Steelyard arm balance or with a rigid metal spring. The Steelyard arm balance type shown in figure 1 worked by adjusting a sliding weight on the arm balance until the contracted muscle could just lift the weight. The spring type instruments shown in figure 2, worked by transferring the spring distortion to an amplifying lever connected to a force-indicating pointer. Both of these types could be arranged to measure force in a push or pull mode. In the push mode it is possible to measure handgrip strength of the forearm muscles and in the pull mode it is possible to measure the force exerted by muscles such as the Biceps, Deltoid, Back and various leg muscles.
Fig. 1. Graham-Desagulier Isometric Dynamometer. Invented in 1763 and worked by pulling the lever and adjusting a sliding weight on the arm balance until the contracted muscle could just lift the weight.
|
![]() |
![]() Four of Regnier’s dynamometers have been registered; (1) the first (see figure 3) is displayed in the Museum of the Physics Department in Urbino University in Italy and (2) a similar model is displayed in the Physics Laboratory of the Technical Institute of Tuscany, Florence, Italy. (3) The third is located in the Musée de l’Armée in Paris. (4) The fourth from the Gilai Collection (figure 2) was owned by www.gilai.com. Other 19th century dynamometers similar in style to the one invented by Regnier, are: the Charriere Dynamometre (Figure 4), A French undefined instrument (Figure 5), and the George Tiemann’s Dynamometer (Figure 6 and Figure 7c), and an instrument made by the Marine Compass Company.
Reference: 1. Pearn J. (1978). Two early dynamometers. An historical account of the earliest measurements to study human muscular strength. J Neurol Sci. Jun; 37(1-2): 127-34. To see a copy of the complete article press here.
2. David Horne and Elizabeth Talbot (2002). The History of the Regnier Dynamometer. Iron Grip Magazine. Vol. 2, No. 3, July 2002. To see a copy of the complete article press here.
|
|
![]() |
|
![]() Echelle de Pression. On the upper right side of the instrument is engraved: Kilo's and a little stamp with the initials H.M. and the date 1877. (In my opinion this are the initials of a previous owner of the instrument and the date he purchased the instrument). In the middle of the instrument there is engraved: DYNAMOMETRE, pour les forces, Charriere. The large iron spring is approx. 9.5 inches wide (24 centimeters) and approx. 2.2 inches high (5,5 centimeters). Total height of the instrument measured from the base of the iron spring to the top of the brass part is 6.1 inches (15,5 centimeters). * I would like to thank Mr. David Horne for providing the picture and description.
|
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() Fig. 8. Pierre Bonnes. A 19th century strongman that participated in many contests. In 1903 he won the World Championships when the lifts contested included the right-hand press and the one-hand swing. At one time Bonnes held the world record in the two-hand snatch at 253.5 pounds (Willoughby, The Super Athletes). Interestingly, Willoughby also lists Pierre Bonnes among athletes with superior grips. Bonnes is listed as gripping 298 pounds on a Regnier dynamometer, which was the second highest recorded on the device. (From an article by Tom Black in http://www.bigsteel.iwarp.com/Gallery/ Gallery7.html).
![]() Fig. 9. Stanley Zbyszkowas born in April 1, 1881 as Stanislaus Cyganiewicz, Stanley Zbyszko was the name he later took for his wrestling career. Early photos of Zbyszko show an impressive development of the upper body with 20 inches neck circumference, 20½ inches biceps and 15 inches forearm that pointed to his tremendous physical power. Zbyszko had trained with weights and his grip strength was measured on a Regnier dynamometer to be 275 pounds. This was near the top of the range and nine pounds better than Charles Batta had done, and Batta was a famous strongman. (Fron an article by Graham Noble. InYo: Journal of Alternative Perspectives June2002). |