Associations between absolute and relative handgrip strength with fitness and fatness

The main purpose of this study was to assess relationships between absolute and relative handgrip strength (HGS) versus other markers of health (body composition) and physical fitness (VO ₂ max, vertical jump) in 220 (112 male) healthy young adults (25±10 years). HGS was measured using a hand dynamometer. Absolute HGS represented the highest grip strength measurement (kg) of the right and left hand combined, while relative HGS represented the absolute HGS divided by body weight (kg/kg). Body composition (lean and fat mass) was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. VO ₂ max was measured using a treadmill peak speed protocol (ml/kg/min), while vertical jump was assessed using a countermovement jump (cm). Absolute HGS (mean=86±22 kg) was positively related with lean mass (r=0.82, p<0.001) and vertical jump (r=0.63, p<0.001), while relative HGS (mean=1.2±0.2 kg/kg) was negatively related with body fat (r=-0.69, p<0.001), but positively correlated with VO ₂ max (r=0.47, p<0.001), and vertical jump (r=0.45, p<0.001). Linear models suggest that lean mass, body fat, and vertical jump predicted 69% of variance for absolute HGS (adjusted R ² =0.71, p<0.001), while lean mass and body fat predicted 49% of variance for relative HGS (adjusted R ² =0.49, p<0.001). Lower relative HGS scores (<1.0 kg/kg) were associated with higher body fat levels and may represent a quick, simple, marker of health.