Comparative evaluation of hand grip strength in weight trainers and manual laborers.

Abstract

Background: Hand grip strength (HGS) is a key metric for assessing muscle function and overall physical capability, with particular relevance to aging populations. Previous research has indicated that even generally healthy individuals often exhibit weak HGS. The present study aims to evaluate and compare the HGS between weight trainers and laborers (loaders).

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi from August to September 2024 across the Malir and Central districts. A total of 200 male participants were enrolled and equally divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised weight trainers (n = 100), and Group 2 included loaders (n = 100). Hand grip strength was measured using a digital handheld dynamometer.

Results: Most participants in both groups demonstrated normal hand grip strength; 72 participants from group 1 and 84 from group 2 had normal HGS. Among weight trainers, 17 had strong grip strength and 11 had weak grip strength, whereas among loaders, 9 had strong grip strength and 7 were categorized as weak. There was no statistically significant difference in mean HGS between the two groups (p = 0.429). Similarly, age and weight were not significantly associated with HGS in either group (p > 0.05), although a non-significant trend toward higher grip strength with greater weight was observed, especially among weight trainers.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that although both weight trainers and laborers perform physically demanding tasks, weight trainers exhibit slightly higher HGS. Nevertheless, a notable proportion of participants in both groups had weak grip strength, suggesting that neither occupational labor nor weight training alone may be sufficient to maintain optimal muscle strength.