Abstract: Apparatus for testing the strengths of muscle and muscle groups of a person. In use, an inflated pressure pad is engaged with a body area, and a force from a muscle or muscle group is applied to the pad. This force is sensed and a signal representing that force is displayed. The pressure pad is connected to the guide so that the pad may be fixed in a multitude of different positions to engage many different body areas subjected to forces from a multitude of different muscles and muscle groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the strengths of muscles and muscle groups of a person. The apparatus comprises a support frame, a guide post, a support arm, and a force sensing device. The guide post is connected to the support frame such that the position of the guide post can be adjusted along the width of the support frame, and the support arm is connected to the guide post such that the position of the support arm can be adjusted along the height of the guide post. The force sensing device is connected to the support arm, and is provided to engage a body area of a person subjected to a force from a selected muscle or muscle group and to generate an initial signal, such as an elective voltage, in response to the force applied to the force sensing device. The initial signal from the force sensing device is processed, and a resultant signal, representing the force applied to the force sensing device, is displayed.

Abstract: A method of testing the strength of a selected muscle or muscle group, comprising the steps of stabilizing a subject's body, and determining the range of motion of a body area moved by the selected muscle or muscle group. A force sensing device is located in that range of motion, the sensing device is contacted with the above-mentioned body area, and the subject flexes the selected muscle or muscle group to force the body area against the sensing device. The selected muscle or muscle group is isolated so that at least substantially all the force applied to the sensing device is due to the flexing of the selected muscle or muscle group. The method further comprises the steps of measuring the force applied against the sensing device for a selected test period, and producing a signal representing the measured force.

Abstract: A method for testing isolated muscles for comparative strength and endurance using an air bag to measure upon the application of force by the muscle the maximum pressure reached and maintained for a preselected period of time.