The effect of resistance training on handgrip strength in young adults

Abstract

Handgrip strength is used to evaluate hand function. Handgrip strength may be used to assess generalized upper extremity strength and activities of daily living. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of general resistance training of the upper extremities on handgrip strength and to present hand-grip strength values, measured with the Grippi®, for young adult subjects in Sweden. Forty one healthy subjects, 27 women and 14 men, volunteered to participate in the study. The women's group were randomly split between a training group (TG; n = 15) and a control group (CG; n = 12). Training consisted of general resistance for the upper extremities three times a week for 8 weeks. Values outcome measures included maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and sustained MVC (SMVC). A significant difference (p < 0.001) in strength was found between the right and the left hand (8-11%) when accounting for right hand dominance. The TG showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) MVC for the right hand after training. It appears that handgrip strength may be increased by eight weeks of general resistance training for the upper extremities. The findings in this study support the 10% rule for a population that is right-handed.