Grip Strength Assessment
Assess your grip strength with both absolute and body-size normalised measurements based on international research
Your Information
How to Measure
- • Use a hand dynamometer (e.g., Jamar type)
- • Sit with elbow bent at 90°, forearm neutral
- • Squeeze as hard as possible for 3-5 seconds
- • Perform 3 trials per hand, rest 60 seconds between
- • Record the maximum value for each hand
Ready to Assess
Enter your measurements and click "Assess My Grip Strength" to see your detailed assessment
Assessment Methodology
Based on international research and validated allometric scaling methods
Our grip strength assessment uses data from the iGRIPS (international handGRIP Strength) Group, representing 2.4 million adults from 69 countries—the world's largest grip strength database. This provides highly accurate population norms for comparison.
Absolute vs Normalised Measurements
We provide two complementary measurements:
- Absolute Grip Strength: Your raw measurement in kilograms. This directly predicts health outcomes and mortality risk (López-Bueno et al., 2022), making it clinically valuable.
- Normalised Grip Strength: Your grip strength divided by height squared (kg/m²). This removes the effect of body size, providing a fair comparison regardless of whether you're tall or short.
Why Normalisation Matters
Research by Nevill et al. (2022), Kasović et al. (2023), and others conclusively demonstrated that height squared (height²) is the optimal method for normalising grip strength. This approach, called allometric scaling, creates a "level playing field" for comparing individuals of different body sizes.
A 6'5" (1.96m) man naturally has higher absolute grip strength than a 5'5" (1.65m) man simply due to body size. Normalisation reveals who is actually stronger relative to their frame.
Hand Asymmetry
We flag asymmetry exceeding 10% between hands, as this may indicate muscle imbalances, previous injury, or neurological issues requiring assessment. Most healthy individuals show less than 10% difference between their dominant and non-dominant hands.
Clinical Significance
Grip strength is a powerful biomarker of overall health. Research has linked low grip strength to increased risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (López-Bueno et al., 2022). Maintaining good grip strength through regular resistance training is associated with better health outcomes across the lifespan.
Key References
- • The iGRIPS Group. (2024). International norms for adult handgrip strength from 2.4 million adults aged 20 to 100+ years from 69 countries. Journal of Sport and Health Science.
- • Nevill, A.M., et al. (2022). How Should Adult Handgrip Strength Be Normalized? Allometry Reveals New Insights. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 54(1), 162-168.
- • Kasović, M., et al. (2023). Allometric normalization of handgrip strength in older adults: Which body size parameter is the most appropriate? BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 15(1), 18.
- • Abdalla, P.P., et al. (2022). Adjusting Grip Strength to Body Size: Analyses From 6 Countries. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 23(5), 903.e13-903.e21.
- • López-Bueno, R., et al. (2022). Thresholds of handgrip strength for all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality: A systematic review. Ageing Research Reviews, 82, 101778.
- • Maranhão Neto, G.A., et al. (2017). Normalizing handgrip strength in older adults: An allometric approach. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 70, 230-234.
Important Notes
- • This assessment provides estimates based on population norms and may not account for individual variations
- • Results are for general guidance and should not replace personalized medical advice
- • Grip strength is influenced by many factors including training status, occupation, and medical conditions
- • For clinical interpretation or concerning results, please consult a healthcare professional
- • Measurement accuracy depends on proper testing protocol—always use standardised methods
Method Explanation: Converting Grip Strength to Life Expectancy
How we translate grip strength measurements into life expectancy estimates
Overview
This calculator translates grip strength measurements into estimated life expectancy changes using a validated epidemiological framework based on large-scale population studies.
The Method
Step 1: Calculate Your Deviation from Expected
First, we determine how your grip strength compares to the age- and sex-specific population norm. Expected values come from the international iGRIPS study pooling 2.4 million adults across 69 countries.
Step 2: Convert to Hazard Ratio
Using the landmark PURE study finding, we calculate your relative mortality risk. The PURE study (142,861 participants, 17 countries) found that each 5 kg reduction in grip strength corresponds to a 16% increase in all-cause mortality risk.
For example, if you're 9 kg below expected grip strength, this translates to approximately 31% higher mortality risk.
Step 3: Translate Hazard Ratio to Years of Life
This is the most complex step. Hazard ratios measure instantaneous risk rates, not cumulative outcomes. To convert them to life expectancy changes, we use a validated logarithmic transformation based on empirical calibration studies. The conversion uses an age-adjusted scaling factor:
- • Stronger impact for younger adults (ages 30-50)
- • Moderate impact for middle-aged adults (ages 50-70)
- • Reduced impact for older adults (ages 70+)
Why This Formula Works
The conversion method was empirically calibrated by comparing known health risk factors with established life expectancy losses:
| Risk Factor | Known LE Loss | Our Formula | Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | 8.9 years | 6.3 years | 71% |
| Hypertension | 4.4 years | 3.5 years | 80% |
| Low grip (20th percentile) | 7-10 years | 7.1 years | Excellent |
Key Assumptions
- Proportional Hazards: The relative risk remains constant over time
- Gompertz Mortality: Death rates increase exponentially with age (broadly true for adults)
- Population-Level Relationship: Translates group statistics to individual estimates
Uncertainty and Limitations
- • Confidence Range: ±30% (reflected in the confidence level shown)
- • Individual Variation: Your personal outcome depends on many factors beyond grip strength
- • Causality: Grip strength may be a marker of health rather than directly causing longevity changes
- • Not Medical Advice: These are statistical estimates from population studies, not diagnostic tools
References
- • Primary Study: Leong et al., Lancet 2015 (PURE study, n=142,861)
- • Conversion Method: Wen et al., Int J Public Health 2021
- • Normative Data: Dodds et al., J Sport Health Sci 2024 (iGRIPS, n=2.4M)
This method provides scientifically-grounded estimates while acknowledging the inherent uncertainty in converting population-level risk statistics to individual predictions.