Absolute Handgrip Strength Research Articles

Maximal isometric handgrip strength in judo athletes from different age groups

This study aimed to compare the maximal isometric handgrip strength of 546 male judo athletes from different age groups (Cadet = 58; Junior = 118; Senior = 220; 30–39 years = 108; 40–49 years = 31; 51–59 years = 16). Absolute and relative values were calculated for each hand and for the sum of both hands. Age groups were compared through a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey test. The effect size was determined by partial eta squared. There was an effect of age category for the right and left absolute handgrip strength, with lower values for the Cadets compared to all other age groups (p < 0.05). However, no age category effect was found for relative variables. The differences in maximal isometric handgrip strength between age groups in judo are mainly related to differences in body mass. This suggests that judo can act as a relevant intervention to handgrip strength.

Lower Relative Handgrip Strength is Significantly Associated with a Higher Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in Adults.

Purpose: In previous studies, there were debates on the association between handgrip strength (HGS) and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Since body weight is associated with both HGS and prevalence of metabolic syndrome, whether HGS is corrected with body weight (relative HGS) or not (absolute HGS) can directly influence outcome of the study. Therefore, this study analyzed the relationship between HGS and prevalence of metabolic syndrome using both relative and absolute HGS. Methods: A total of 1009 Korean adults (488 men and 521 women) were analyzed. Participants were categorized into three groups according to HGS levels. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of metabolic syndrome associated with both relative and absolute HGS. Results: Lower absolute HGS was associated with lower prevalence of having abnormal blood pressure (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37-0.97) and glucose levels (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.34-0.88) in men. However, no association was found between absolute HGS and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. However, a significant inverse association was found between relative HGS and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Compared with participants in the highest tertile, those in the lowest tertile of relative HGS had 2.52 times (95% CI: 1.43-4.46) and 5.01 times (95% CI: 1.66-15.08) higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in men and women, respectively. Conclusion: Lower relative HGS but not absolute HGS was associated with higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Our study showed that there are evident discrepancies in the association between HGS and prevalence of metabolic syndrome whether HGS is corrected by body weight or not.

Association of Relative Handgrip Strength and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Older Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1.

BackgroundThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly increasing with advanced age. Since aging affects sarcopenia and muscle strength, which could, in turns, affect MetS, it is critical to examine the association between MetS and muscle strength in this population. Handgrip strength (HGS) has been introduced as a simple assessment tool for muscular strength. Several studies investigating the association between HGS and the risk of MetS have yield conflicting results. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association of MetS and relative handgrip strength (RHGS) in elderly Koreans.MethodsA total of 1,244 (male, 589; female, 655) elderly subjects (age ≥65 years), who participated in the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1 (2016) were analyzed. Participant’s HGS, body mass index (BMI), MetS, and its five criteria were measured. Subjects were categorized into four groups based on their RHGS, which was defined as absolute HGS divided by BMI.ResultsThe highest quartile RHGS group has a significantly lower prevalence of MetS in both men and women (F=35.16, P<0.001 vs. F=31.78, P<0.001, respectively). Moreover, the odds ratio of MetS was 0.52 times lower (0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31–0.85) in the third quartile RHGS than that of the lowest RHGS, and 0.28 times lower (0.28; 95% CI, 0.17–0.47) in the highest RHGS group in women than that of the lowest RHGS group.ConclusionMaintaining a high level of HGS may reduce the incidence rate of MetS in elderly Koreans.

Comparing absolute handgrip strength and handgrip strength normalized to body weight in aging adults.

Comparing absolute handgrip strength and handgrip strength normalized to body weight in aging adults.

Associations of recommended food score and physical performance in Korean elderly

BackgroundA single nutrient or dietary pattern has been associated with physical performance. However, little is still known about the association of overall dietary quality with physical performance. This study aimed to investigate the link between the recommended food score (RFS), defined as an indicator of overall diet quality, and physical performance among the Korean elderly aged over 65 years.MethodsThe study subjects consisted of 622 participants (294 men and 328 women) aged over 65 years from the 2014–2015 National Fitness Award project.ResultsThe mean value of RFS was higher in elderly women (30.7 ± 7.6) than elderly men (29.5 ± 8.8), but the difference was only marginally significant (P = 0.065). In elderly women, multiple regression linear models, adjusted for potential confounders, showed that RFS was positively related to absolute hand grip strength (kg) (ß = 0.066, 95% CI = 0.010 to 0.122) and relative hand grip strength (%) (ß =0.109, 95% CI = 0.016 to 0.201); other physical performance indicators did not show any association with RFS. In elderly men, none of the physical performance indexes were associated with RFS.ConclusionsThese results suggest that a better overall diet quality may be associated with improved grip strength among elderly women in Korea.

Absolute and Body Mass Index Normalized Handgrip Strength Percentiles by Gender, Ethnicity, and Hand Dominance in Americans.

BackgroundGender and ethnicity are factors which influence strength, and hand dominance could be a critical component of handgrip strength (HGS) testing. Providing such HGS percentiles across the lifespan may help to identify weakness-related health concerns. We sought to generate growth charts and curves for HGS by gender and ethnicity in a nationally-representative sample of Americans aged 6–80 years.MethodsData from 13,617 participants in the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. HGS was measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Age, gender, ethnicity, and hand dominance were self-reported. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from height and body mass. Measures of absolute HGS and HGS normalized to BMI were separately included in parametric quantile regression analyses for determining the 10th–90th percentiles across ages by gender and ethnicity. Similar models were also conducted by hand dominance.ResultsDifferences in absolute HGS and HGS normalized to BMI quantiles across ages existed for each ethnicity regardless of gender. In men, absolute HGS generally increased until about 25 years of age, began to decline around age 30 years, and regressed into older adulthood. In women, absolute HGS appeared to rise starting at age 6 years, peaked between 20 and 30 years of age, but was maintained into mid-life before declining in older adulthood. Similar results were found for HGS normalized to BMI.ConclusionsOur findings provide percentile charts for HGS capacity that could be utilized for comparing individual measures of HGS to those from a United States population-representative sample.

Maximal isometric handgrip strength: comparison between weight categories and classificatory table for adult judo athletes.

The aims of this study were to compare the maximal isometric handgrip strength of judo athletes from different weight categories and to create a classificatory table for this test. A total of 406 athletes had their maximal isometric handgrip strength measured, following standardized recommendations. Absolute and relative values were calculated for each hand and for the sum of both hands. Weight categories were compared through a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey test. The effect size was determined by partial eta squared, and the relationship between variables was determined using Pearson correlation coefficient. There was a large effect of weight category in absolute handgrip strength for each hand and for the sum of both hands, with lower values for the lighter categories. Conversely, when the relative strength was considered higher values were found for the lighter categories (P<0.001). Very large and significant positive correlations (P<0.001) were found between right and left for absolute (r=0.886) and relative (r=0.883) handgrip values. Overall, there was an increase in absolute and a decrease in relative handgrip strength across weight categories. These differences found in grip strength in weight categories are probably linked to differences in muscle mass between them. There was a high correlation between each hand for absolute and relative values, which suggests that assessing only one hand may be enough, and therefore a faster way of evaluation. Finally, the normative classificatory table created may serve as a reference for different purposes.

Muscle Strength Influences Pressor Responses to Static Handgrip in Men and Women.

Whether differences in absolute muscle strength affect blood pressure (BP) responses to relative intensity static exercise remains controversial but could contribute to known sex-based differences and influence the interpretation of cross-sectional data. One hundred thirty-two healthy participants (66 men and 66 women; age, 22 ± 3 yr) underwent continuous seated measurements of BP (Finometer) and heart rate (electrocardiography) during baseline rest and 2 min of static handgrip (30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)). BP and heart rate responses were quantified in 30-s epochs during exercise and compared between men and women with and without statistical adjustment (ANCOVA) for differences in baseline BP (or heart rate), forearm girth, and handgrip MVC. Within each sex, BP and heart rate responses were compared also between tertiles of handgrip MVC (n = 22 per group). Men had larger systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure responses during static handgrip than did women (interaction term, all P < 0.0005), although heart rates responses were similar (interaction term, P = 0.25). These sex-based BP differences persisted after statistical adjustment for differences in baseline BP or forearm girth; however, controlling for handgrip MVC abolished differences in BP responses during static handgrip exercise between men and women (interaction term, all P > 0.35). In men, BP responses were smaller within the lowest tertile of handgrip MVC (interaction term, all P < 0.006), whereas in women, BP responses were larger within the highest tertile of handgrip MVC (interaction term, all P < 0.04). Our findings suggest an important between- and within-sex role of absolute handgrip strength in mediating the BP response to static handgrip exercise and highlight the importance of controlling for interindividual differences in future work.

Relative Handgrip Strength Is Inversely Associated with Metabolic Profile and Metabolic Disease in the General Population in China.

Background: Absolute handgrip strength has been correlated with metabolic profile and metabolic disease. Whether relative handgrip strength is also associated with metabolic disease has not been assessed. This study aimed at assessing the association of relative handgrip strength with metabolic profile and metabolic disease in the general population in China.Methods: Data were derived from an ongoing cross-sectional survey of the 2013 National Physical and Health in Shanxi Province, which involved 5520 participants. Multiple linear regression or multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association of absolute/relative handgrip strength with the metabolic profile, preclinical, and established stages of metabolic diseases.Results: This study revealed that relative handgrip strength, that is when normalized to BMI, was associated with: (1) in both genders for more favorable blood lipid levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [males: b = 0.19 (0.15, 0.23); females: b = 0.22 (0.17, 0.28)], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [males: b = −0.14 (−0.23, −0.05); females: b = −0.19 (−0.31, −0.18)], triglycerides [males: b = −0.58 (−0.74, −0.43); females: b = −0.55 (−0.74, −0.36)] and total cholesterol [males: b = −0.20 (−0.31, −0.10); females: b = −0.19 (−0.32, −0.06)]; and better serum glucose levels in males [b = −0.30 (−0.46, −0.15)]. (2) lower risk of impaired fasting glucose in males {third quartile [OR = 0.66 (0.45–0.95)] and fourth quartile [OR = 0.46 (0.30–0.71)] vs. first quartile} and dyslipidemia in both genders {third quartile [males: OR = 0.65 (0.48–0.87); females: OR = 0.68 (0.53–0.86)] and fourth quartile [males: OR = 0.47 (0.35–0.64); females: OR = 0.47(0.36–0.61)] vs. first quartile}. (3) lower risk of hyperlipidemia in both genders third quartile [males: OR = 0.66 (0.50–0.87); females: OR = 0.57 (0.43–0.75)] and fourth quartile [males: OR = 0.35 (0.26–0.47); females: OR = 0.51 (0.38–0.70)] vs. first quartile. However, contrary to relative handgrip strength, higher absolute handgrip strength was associated with unfavorable metabolic profiles and higher risk of metabolic diseases. These paradoxical associations were retained even after adjusted for BMI by employed a multivariate analysis.Conclusion: We conclude that measurement of relative handgrip strength can be used as a reasonable clinical predictor of metabolic health and disease.

Cutoff values for appendicular skeletal muscle mass and strength in relation to fear of falling among Brazilian older adults: cross-sectional study.

Sarcopenia is an emerging public health issue in Brazil. Because of its high prevalence and the lack of national data, the objective here was to identify cutoff points for appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) and handgrip strength in relation to fear of falling among Brazilian older adults. Cross-sectional study; in the community. Participants underwent morphological and functional evaluations; and were asked about previous falls and fear of falling. Different adjustments to ASM and handgrip strength were used. Slow walking speed was defined as < 0.8 m/s or 1.0 m/s. Gender and age groups were compared using t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify cutoffs for ASM and handgrip strength in relation to fear of falling. 578 older adults participated in this study. Function levels decreased with increasing age, and body composition differed between the sexes. In relation to fear of falling, the cutoffs for ASM adjusted for body mass index (BMI) were < 0.85 for men and < 0.53 for women; the cutoffs for absolute handgrip strength and relative handgrip strength (adjusted for BMI) were 30.0 kgf and 21.7 kgf, and 1.07 and 0.66, for men and women, respectively. The values presented can be used as references in clinical practice and research. We recommend use of ASM adjusted for BMI and choosing between absolute and relative handgrip strength for men and women, according to study needs.

Reference Curves for Field Tests of Musculoskeletal Fitness in U.S. Children and Adolescents: The 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey.

Laurson, KR, Saint-Maurice, PF, Welk, GJ, and Eisenmann, JC. Reference curves for field tests of musculoskeletal fitness in U.S. children and adolescents: The 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey. J Strength Cond Res 31(8): 2075-2082, 2017-The purpose of the study was to describe current levels of musculoskeletal fitness (MSF) in U.S. youth by creating nationally representative age-specific and sex-specific growth curves for handgrip strength (including relative and allometrically scaled handgrip), modified pull-ups, and the plank test. Participants in the National Youth Fitness Survey (n = 1,453) were tested on MSF, aerobic capacity (via submaximal treadmill test), and body composition (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, and skinfolds). Using LMS regression, age-specific and sex-specific smoothed percentile curves of MSF were created and existing percentiles were used to assign age-specific and sex-specific z-scores for aerobic capacity and body composition. Correlation matrices were created to assess the relationships between z-scores on MSF, aerobic capacity, and body composition. At younger ages (3-10 years), boys scored higher than girls for handgrip strength and modified pull-ups, but not for the plank. By ages 13-15, differences between the boys and girls curves were more pronounced, with boys scoring higher on all tests. Correlations between tests of MSF and aerobic capacity were positive and low-to-moderate in strength. Correlations between tests of MSF and body composition were negative, excluding absolute handgrip strength, which was inversely related to other MSF tests and aerobic capacity but positively associated with body composition. The growth curves herein can be used as normative reference values or a starting point for creating health-related criterion reference standards for these tests. Comparisons with prior national surveys of physical fitness indicate that some components of MSF have likely decreased in the United States over time.

Age-related reduction and independent predictors of toe flexor strength in middle-aged men

BackgroundToe flexor muscles play an important role in posture and locomotion, and poor toe flexor strength is a risk factor for falls. In this cross-sectional study, we estimated the age-related change in toe flexor strength and compared it with that of handgrip strength. Independent factors predicting toe flexor and handgrip strength were also determined.MethodsA total of 1401 male (aged 35–59 years) study participants were divided into five groups according to their chronological age; 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, and 55–59 years. Toe flexor and handgrip strength, anthropometry, and resting blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure blood glucose, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterols, and albumin. A self-administered lifestyle questionnaire was conducted.ResultsDecline in absolute toe flexor and handgrip strength began in the age groups 50–55 and 55–59 years, respectively. In comparison to the mean values of the youngest group, relative toe flexor strength (87.0 ± 26.6%) was significantly lower than handgrip strength (94.4 ± 13.1%) for the oldest group. Multiple regression analyses showed that independent factors predicting both toe flexor and handgrip strength were lean body mass, age, serum albumin, drinking habit, and fat mass. Additionally, fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, sleeping time and exercise habit were predicting factors of toe flexor strength but not of handgrip strength.ConclusionsAge-related reduction in toe flexor strength was earlier and greater than handgrip strength, and toe flexor strength reflects body composition and metabolic status.

Is salivary cortisol moderating the relationship between salivary testosterone and hand-grip strength in healthy men?

This study examined the moderating effect of cortisol (C) on the relationship between testosterone (T) and hand-grip strength (HGS) in healthy young men. Sixty-five males were monitored for salivary T, C and HGS before and 15 min after a short bout (5 × 6-s trials) of sprint cycling exercise. Sprint exercise promoted (p < .05) positive changes in T (6.1 ± 24.9%) and HGS (3.4 ± 7.5%), but a negative C response (−14.4 ± 33.1%). The T and C measures did not independently predict HGS, but a significant T × C interaction was found in relation to these outcomes. Further testing revealed that pre-test T and HGS were negatively associated (p < .05), but only in men with high C levels. The exercise changes in T and HGS were also negatively related in men with low C levels (p < .05), but no relationship was seen in men with high C levels. In summary, complex relationships between T and HGS emerged when considering C as a moderating variable. The pre-test combination of high C and low T levels favoured absolute HGS, whereas low pre-test C levels and a smaller T change were linked to larger HGS changes. These associations suggest that, in the current format, T is not necessarily anabolic to muscle strength in healthy young men. Such complexities could also explain some of the inconsistent T relationships with physical performance in lesser trained male populations.

Handgrip Strength as Potential Predictor for Metabolic Syndrome

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to identify relationship between handgrip strength (HGS) on the risk of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: All participants (488 males and 521 females) were randomly chosen in the process of health examination in a university affiliated hospital in South Korea. The relative HGS was defined as a ratio of absolute HGS to body weight, subsequently classified into three groups (tertile) in each gender. A logistic regression model was used to determine the relation between the HGS and MetS after adjusting age. RESULTS: HGS was inversely associated with most of the MetS components in both male and female. In male, participants in the lowest tertile of HGS has 2.52 times [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-4.46] higher odd of having MetS compared with participants in the highest tertile of HGS. In female, participants in the lowest tertile of HGS has 5.01 times (95% CI: 1.66-15.08) higher odd of having MetS compared with participants in the highest tertile of HGS. In both gender, height and body weight were positively associated with HGS. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding suggests that HGS was strongly associated with components of MetS: higher the HGS, lower the risk of MetS. HGS could potentially be used as one of the health indicators for general population.

Associations of Relative Handgrip Strength and Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers in U.S. Adults, 2011-2012.

Although decline in muscle mass and quality and resulting declines in muscle strength are associated with aging, more research is needed in general populations to assess the utility of handgrip strength as an indicator of muscle strength and cardiovascular disease risk. Data from 4,221 participants aged ≥20 years in the 2011-2012 cycle of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed during 2014-2015. Standing isometric relative handgrip strength (calculated as maximal absolute handgrip strength from both hands divided by BMI) was used to predict cardiovascular biomarkers, including blood pressure (measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure); serum lipids (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides); and plasma insulin and glucose. Results from regression analyses showed that higher relative grip strength was significantly associated with lower systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and plasma insulin and glucose, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in male and female participants (p<0.05 for all). Secondary descriptive analyses found that absolute handgrip strength increased significantly with increasing weight status, but relative handgrip strength decreased significantly with increasing weight status. Results suggest that increased relative handgrip strength may be associated with a better profile of cardiovascular health biomarkers among U.S. adults. Relative grip strength, which both adjusts for the confounding of mass and assesses concomitant health risks of increased body size and low muscle strength, may be a useful public health measure of muscle strength.

The Effects of Obesity and Workload on Hand Grip Endurance

The present study examined the relationship between obesity and workload on hand grip strength and endurance. Twenty-two participants (11 non-obese and 11 obese) attended four experimental sessions, each session involving hand grip strength testing and sustained endurance task at a specified relative workload level (20, 40, 60, and 80% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)). Dependent measures included absolute hand grip strength, endurance time, and rate of strength loss. Results indicated that obesity was associated with higher absolute hand grip strength and faster rate of strength loss during the endurance task. Additionally, shorter endurance times were observed for the obese group (~26-53% reduction from non-obese group) during the higher workload tasks in both males and females. Findings from this study suggest that obesity impairs hand grip fatigability, and that this relationship is augmented at higher workload levels.

The Effect of Hand Dimensions, Hand Shape and Some Anthropometric Characteristics on Handgrip Strength in Male Grip Athletes and Non-Athletes

It has been suggested that athletes with longer fingers and larger hand surfaces enjoy stronger grip power. Therefore, some researchers have examined a number of factors and anthropometric variables that explain this issue. To our knowledge, the data is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hand dimensions, hand shape and some anthropometric characteristics on handgrip strength in male grip athletes and non-athletes. 80 subjects aged between 19 and 29 participated in this study in two groups including: national and collegian grip athletes (n=40), and non-athletes (n=40). Body height and mass were measured to calculate body mass index. The shape of the dominant hand was drawn on a piece of paper with a thin marker so that finger spans, finger lengths, and perimeters of the hand could be measured. The hand shape was estimated as the ratio of the hand width to hand length. Handgrip strength was measured in the dominant and non-dominant hand using a standard dynamometer. Descriptive statistics were used for each variable and independent t test was used to analyze the differences between the two groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to evaluate the correlation between studied variables. Also, to predict important variables in handgrip strength, the linear trend was assessed using a linear regression analysis. There was a significant difference between the two groups in absolute handgrip strength (p<0.001) and handgrip/height ratio (p<0.001). The indices of body height, body mass, lean body mass and body fat content (p<0.001) were significantly greater in grip athletes. All hand variables except FS1-4 (p>0.05) were significantly different between the groups (p<0.001). After controlling body mass all hand anthropometric characteristics except thumb length (r=0.240, p= 0.135), hand shape (r=−0.029, p=0.858), middle finger length (r=0.305, p=0.056) and forearm circumference (r=0.162, p=0.319) significantly correlated with handgrip strength in grip athletes, but not in non-athletes, except for forearm circumference (r=0.406, p=0.010). The results showed that handgrip strength and some of the hand dimensions may be different in athletes who have handgrip movements with an object or opponent in comparison to non-athletes. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between handgrip strength and most of the hand dimensions in grip athletes. Therefore, these can be used in talent identification in handgrip-related sports and in clinical settings as well.

Physiological profile in relation to playing position of elite college Gaelic footballers

Objective: To examine the physiological profile, and its relation to playing position, of elite college Gaelic footballers.Method: The subjects were 28 elite Gaelic footballers (12 backs, 12 forwards, and four...