Sex differences in the relationship between physical fitness and handgrip strength in older adults

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Caroline Zamorano-Sánchez
Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1256-1011
Sebastián Andrés Astorga-Verdugo
Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8672-4987
Aldo Rodrigo Martínez-Araya
Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8489-2557
Iván Ignacio Molina Márquez
Universidad Adventista de Chile, Chile
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6003-5107

Abstract

The objective of the study was to analyze the relationship between physical performance and handgrip strength according to sex in community-dwelling older adults attending primary health care workshops. This study presents a quantitative, cross-sectional approach with a correlational scope. The sample consisted of 50 older adults: 22 women (70.68 ± 5.21 years old) and 28 men (71.57 ± 7.83 years old). Physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), while handgrip strength was measured via dynamometry. The results showed a strong correlation between overall physical performance and handgrip strength, with a similar magnitude in both men and women (p < 0.01), which positively impacts the functional decline caused by aging. However, when analyzing the SPPB subcomponents, differences between sexes were observed; the correlation between handgrip strength and balance was moderate and significant only in women ρ = 0,566; IC 95%: 0,177–0,802. In contrast, men also demonstrated a strong association between handgrip strength and gait speed (ρ = 0,758; IC 95%: 0,529–0,884). In conclusion, there are sex-specific differences in the relationship between muscle strength and functional physical performance, suggesting that men and women may achieve similar levels of functionality through different mechanisms.

Item information
Published: September 21, 2026
Issue: Vol. 27 No. 2 (2026): Revista Ciencias de la Actividad Física UCM
Section: Research
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29035/rcaf.27.2.8
Keywords: Physical Performance, Grip Strength, Sex, Older Adults

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How to Cite
Zamorano-Sánchez, C., Astorga-Verdugo, S. A., Martínez-Araya, A. R., & Molina Márquez, I. I. (2026). Sex differences in the relationship between physical fitness and handgrip strength in older adults. Revista Ciencias De La Actividad Física UCM, 27(2), 109-123. https://doi.org/10.29035/rcaf.27.2.8
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