In today’s healthcare market, objective measures that accurately quantify a client’s physical impairments are essential. The current standard of care (SOC) for strength assessment in rehabilitation is manual muscle testing (MMT), which is unreliable when a clinician applies manual force. In the fitness industry, methods of repetition maximums pose a safety concern. For over 3 decades, companies have produced isokinetic dynamometers (the gold standard), and handheld dynamometers (HHD) to provide quantifiable strength assessment techniques. Isokinetic machines are a significant capital investment that is not reimbursable, and the HHD, though significantly cheaper, has issues with reliability and validity, particularly in larger muscle groups.

This invention presents a portable isometric strength testing device designed for use with the weight stacks commonly found in standard weight training machines. Developed by Dr. Noel Goodstadt and colleagues at Drexel University, it was designed to become the new SOC by providing an accurate and reliable strength measurement at the same price as HHD. The configuration of the PAST device locks the weight stack of any weight machine in place and measures forces applied to the machine, turning it into an isometric dynamometer. With the developed software and Bluetooth connection to a portable electronic device (e.g., tablet, phone, laptop) clinicians and/or fitness professionals can measure muscle force and provide their clients real time force data to develop effective strength training programs. The third generation prototype of this device is being actively used with patients in the Drexel PT clinic.