We recently introduced hand grip strength (HGS) to the battery of assessment points we use to assess risk of employees in the workplace. 

It was a new initiative for us and one that we have been advocating.  

Fortunately, a client we have worked with over several years was happy to use a small mixed gender sample size to gauge the impact of measuring HGS. The data below supports the findings in the literature that HGS is a vital sign of health. We compared the HGS to overall heart health rating.  

The traffic light system showed that HGS and heart health ratings returned not dissimilar profiles.  

With this proof of concept in the workplace, we now plan to expand our offering and build a data base where other health matters could be linked to HGS. So, watch this space. 

Grip strength is a powerful biomarker for overall health, functioning as a “systems check” that reflects total body muscle mass, nervous system health, and biological aging.  

Why Hand Grip Strength Matters 

• It is an indicator: Strong hands do not directly cause longevity, but the strength required to squeeze a hand grip dynamometer reflects the condition of your heart, nerves, brain, and metabolic health. The dominant hand is 10% stronger than non-dominant hand.  
• Health Measure: Research shows that every 5 kg drop in grip strength correlates with a 16% to 20% increase in all-cause mortality risk and higher rates of cardiovascular disease. HGS relative measure (HGS/BMI) is also linked to incidence of type 2 diabetes. Many factors influence HGS including but not limited to, activity and fitness levels, nutritional status and abdominal obesity,  
• Mental Health Link: Lower HGS correlate with higher scores on depression and anxiety scales suggest a link between neuromuscular vitality and mental health.  
• Brain Health: Studies combine walking pace and HGS as clear indicators of aging, noting that weaker scores track closely with a higher risk of cognitive decline and memory issues.  

This is a simple assessment tool that can provide such an insight into the overall risk of your workforce. If you wish to find out more about this new assessment metric, then contact us.