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Sex Differences in Grip Strength From Birth to Age 16: A Meta-Analysis.
1School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
European Journal of Sport Science
|February 15, 2025
Summary
Boys consistently exhibit greater grip strength than girls from birth to age 16. This sex difference in grip strength widens significantly during puberty, with substantial differences observed by age 16.
Area of Science:
- Human physiology
- Developmental biology
- Sex differences research
Background:
- Previous meta-analyses on sex differences in grip strength in children are limited and outdated.
- A comprehensive update examining grip strength differences from birth to adolescence is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis on sex differences in grip strength in individuals from birth to 16 years of age.
- To update and expand upon previous findings regarding grip strength disparities between boys and girls.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 808 effects from 169 studies conducted globally between 1961 and 2023.
- Inclusion of data from 353,676 participants (178,588 boys, 175,088 girls).
Main Results:
- Boys consistently demonstrated greater grip strength than girls across all ages from birth to 16.
- The sex difference in grip strength was small-to-moderate between ages 3-10, increased at age 11 (due to girls' puberty), and markedly increased at age 13 (due to boys' puberty).
- By age 16, female grip strength was approximately 65% of male grip strength, with substantial differences observed.
Conclusions:
- Significant sex differences in grip strength exist from birth to age 16, with boys generally stronger.
- Puberty plays a crucial role in the divergence of grip strength between sexes.
- Biological factors contribute to the observed average differences in grip strength between boys and girls.
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