Gender differences in hand grip power in the elderly

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the difference in hand grip power in elderly males and females. The subjects were 15 elderly males (mean age 65.6 ± 2.5 years, mean height 165.7 ± 6.0 cm, mean mass 63.9 ± 5.5 kg) and 15 elderly females (mean age 65.0 ± 2.6 years, mean height 155.2 ± 5.3 cm, mean mass 56.5 ± 7.3 kg). Peak velocity was measured by the dominant hand with loads of 30, 40 and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The MVC was significantly greater in males than in females. The peak velocity and the required time to reach peak velocity in all loads showed insignificant differences between both groups. Hand grip power was significantly greater in males than in females in all loads. In conclusion, elderly males have superior hand grip power compared to elderly females and this gender difference depends largely on MVC. The decrease in muscle contraction velocity in those main muscle groups related to hand grip movement accompanied by age may be greater in males than in females.