Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 26, 2026
Measurement of Spatial Stability in Precision Grip
Published on: June 4, 2020
Handedness-dependent grip strength and asymmetries: Modulation of physical performance in healthy older adults
Niladri Kumar Mahato1, Alexandria Davis2
1Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine & Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA, 45701; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marian University Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA, 46222.
Background:
Handgrip Strength (HGS) is a reliable indicator for assessing physical performance, overall muscle strength and can provide insights into mortality risk in older adults. Although reports on handedness associated HGS are available in the literature, studies on handed related HGS asymmetries and their relationship with physical performance specifically in seniors are sparse.
Purpose:
This report analyzed HGS data in older-adult participants who self-identified right (RH) or left (LH) hand-dominant [n=45, mean (SD)=74.04 (6.99) years, females=34, males=11; RH=30, LH=15], recorded anthropometric measurements and performed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and 30-second chair-rise test (CRT-30) with power analysis.
Study Design:
Cross-sectional analysis of association between HGS means, ratios (dominant/non-dominant), HGS asymmetries, % HGS differences with physical performance in older adults.
Results:
Demonstrate strong within and between-group correlations (Pearson's 'r' ∼ > 0.80) for RH and LH data. No significant dominant vs. non-dominant HGS differences [mean (SD)=21.72kg (8.71) vs. 23.53kg (10.02), (95% CI = 19.86 - 27.21kg vs. 18.53 - 24.91kg), (p=0.06)] were found for the RH group. Only the LH dominant vs. non-dominant HGS presented significant differences [mean (SD)= 19.46kg (8.15) vs. 16.36kg (8.93), (p=0.03)]; the LH group presented significant dominant [95% CI= 15.12, 19.98] vs. non-dominant HGS differences (95% CI= 9.49, 9.8), (p<0.01). This group showed strong association between non-dominant HGS and SPPB (R2=0.38), 5x CRT (R2=0.48), CRT-30 chair-rise repetitions (R2=0.25) and power (R2=0.55); SSSP and 5x CRT (R2=0.67), CRT-30 power (R2=0.40); and overall left to right correlation (Pearson's 'r'=0.88).
Conclusions:
Stronger and clinically meaningful association between non-dominant HGS and physical performance in the setting of significant dominant vs. non-dominant HGS differences may exist in LH older adults.
