Influence of various anthropometric parameters on handgrip strength and endurance in young males and females

Abstract

Background & objectives: Handgrip strength (HGS) is an important test to evaluate physical fitness and nutritional status. It is a physiological variable that is affected by a number of factors including age, gender, body size, posture etc. The aim of the present study was to assess the gender differences and also assess the correlation between handgrip strength and endurance and various anthropometric parameters in young males and females. Method: The study included 200 apparently healthy subjects (100 males and 100 females) of the age group 20 to 30 years. Anthropometric parameters like weight, height and Body mass index (BMI) were recorded and subjects were classified into 3 groups as underweight BMI < 18.5 kg/ m2 (30 each), normal weight BMI 18.5 – 24.9 kg/ m2 (40 each) and overweight BMI >25kg/m2 (30 each). Handgrip strength and endurance was recorded using handgrip dynamometer. Gender wise difference was analyzed by unpaired‘t’ test. Correlation between handgrip strength and endurance and various anthropometric parameters was assessed by calculating Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: We found that handgrip strength and endurance was significantly higher in males compared to females (p<0.05). Significant negative correlation was found between handgrip strength and weight in overweight males (p<0.05) and significant positive correlation between handgrip endurance and weight and BMI only in underweight males (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our observations indicate that there are gender differences in correlation between handgrip strength and endurance and various anthropometric parameters indicating that there may be several factors besides anthropometric parameters which influence handgrip strength and endurance. Though our study was not vast, it does provide a glimpse of the gender differences and influence of various anthropometric parameters on handgrip strength and endurance in young males and females.