By Gabe Sanders PhD, NSCA-CSCS
Have you ever closed your fist and squeezed hard and thought to yourself, “I have a strong grip, I must be healthy!” Seems a little far-fetched and perhaps a little crazy, right? However, your grip strength, of all things, could be a significant indicator of your overall health and muscular strength as you age.
Handgrip strength is related to the body’s overall strength
In fact, it may tell you more than you think about your body. If you think about your body as an entire “system” then you can understand that it functions as a single unit, simultaneously. The muscles and neurons in your hand are connected to your arm, which are connected to your torso, etc.
Because your body is a connected system, your hand grip strength is related to the muscular strength you have in your arms, chest, legs, and more. This means that the strength in your hands is related to your body’s overall strength.
Furthermore, the human body can have muscular imbalances meaning that your back muscles may be weaker than your chest muscles or your quadriceps may be stronger than your hamstrings. However, it is not realistic to have extremely strong biceps and chest muscles with fragile weak hand strength.
So, as you sit there reading this article, look at your hand, make a fist, and squeeze. Do a self-assessment of your grip strength and let that analysis allow you to further subjectively assess your total body strength.
Strong grip strength is related to increased functional fitness
A strong or simply healthy hand grip allows all people, young and old, to open food jars, and bottled drinks, and pick up objects. Hand dexterity and strength allow people to gain their independence at a young age and keep their independence at an old age.
In fact, research has found that strong grip strength is related to an increase in functional fitness and activities of daily living. While many of us do not directly think about our hand grip strength, it may be a good indicator of your health and it is a good idea to have your handgrip assessed.
Your trainer could assess your grip strength with a tool called a hand dynamometer. This tool simply measures the force and power you can produce by squeezing your hand. Once you assess your grip strength, ask your trainer how it compares to people your age, and be sure to work on enhancing your body’s overall muscular strength. Free weights are the most ideal form of exercise to do when improving your grip and functional movement strength, however, be sure to ask your trainer and always be safe when lifting free weights.
*Before participating in strength training exercises, consult with an exercise physiologist or a fitness trainer for training and safe guidance
Article’s Source
McGrath, R., Robinson-Lane, S. G., Peterson, M. D., Bailey, R. R., & Vincent, B. M. (2018). Muscle Strength and Functional Limitations: Preserving Function in Older Mexican Americans. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
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