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The overall strength of the musculature does not require testing of large numbers of muscle groups and can be accomplished from three or four tests. Small batteries of strength tests have been devised to predict total strength. The best combination of tests for males are thigh flexors, leg extensors, arm flexors, and pectoralis major. The battery for females consists of measuring thigh flexors, thigh extensors, leg extensors, pectoralis major, deltoids, and hand flexors. The hand grip test is a reasonable representation of total strength. This paper discusses the effectiveness of these tests in measuring the decline of muscular strength in older adults. Appendices provide figures displaying mean scores of various fitness tests and information on strength tests used as predictors of total body strength. (JD)