Multi-joint strength - Isometric and dynamic testing
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Maximal strength is one of the most important attributes underpinning physical performance, providing protection against injury, and exerting a positive impact on overall health and wellness. As a result of the importance of muscular strength, it is often a primary training target for many sports-based training programs. Central to the training process is the assessment of a variety of strength qualities so that training interventions can be designed and implemented in a more targeted manner. When attempting to quantifying an athlete’s maximal strength levels, strength and conditioning professionals often utilise combinations of isometric and dynamic testing protocols. When isometric tests are utilised, detailed force-time data is collected, allowing various strength qualities to be defined and used to provide direction to the training process. Dynamic testing, on the other hand, is often performed with key training exercises providing performance-based data that can be used to individualise the prescription of training loads. To effectively utilise each of these types of tests, the strength and conditioning professional needs to develop standardised methodologies for both conducting each type of test and analysing the data that is collected with each test. Therefore, this chapter provides information about isometric and dynamic strength testing and establishing standardised protocols that can be used as part of a strength diagnostic process.
Keywords
maximal strength, strength testing, isometric testing, dynamic testing, force-time analysis, strength diagnostics
Document Type
Book Chapter
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Publication Title
Performance Assessment in Strength and Conditioning
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
ISBN
[9781032831480, 9781040764596]
Copyright
subscription content
Content Type
Metadata only
First Page
231
Last Page
273
Recommended Citation
Haff, G. G. (2026). Multi-joint strength: Isometric and dynamic testing. In P. Comfort & P. A. Jones (Eds.), Performance assessment in strength and conditioning (2nd ed., pp. 43-57). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003508007-12