Handgrip Strength as a Predictor of Muscular Strength and Endurance: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Reliable muscle strength measurement of individual muscle groups is time-consuming and so it would be convenient to have a single, quick and simple tool as an indicator of the general muscle strength. Handgrip strength might be an adequate measurement for generalised muscle strength. It has a low cost and may be used in a time-efficient manner in clinical setting. Aim: To determine if a handgrip dynamometer test is a valid predictor of both muscular strength and endurance and to provide a gender specific reference charts for handgrip and establish correlation between BMI and handgrip. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study, conducted from October 2017 to March 2018. Participants included 30 college students, 10 males and 20 females of 18 to 25 year age group. BMI of all subjects were measured. Handgrip strength was measured by adjustable handgrip dynamometer. Horizontal Jump Test (HJT) and Vertical Jump Test (VJT) were used to measure lower limb muscle strength. To evaluate the strength of the trunk, one minute curl-ups test was used. Aerobic power was measured by VO2max Cooper’s test. Results: Significant correlation found between handgrip strength and HJT (r=0.8226, r2=0.6767, p<0.05), handgrip strength and VJT (r=0.6917, r2=0.4764, p<0.05), handgrip strength and VO2 max (r=0.7204, r2=0.519, p<0.05), handgrip strength and BMI (r=-0.1341, r2=0.018, p<0.05), handgrip strength and one minute curls-up test (r=0.4368, r2=0.1908, p<0.05). Although there was weak correlation of handgrip strength with BMI and one minute curls-up test. Conclusion: Handgrip strength can be an effective tool for predicting muscular strength and endurance.