Examining the association between grip strength and testosterone

Skeletal muscle is an important site for storing proteins and providing general physical function. Recent research has shown that muscle strength decreases earlier than muscle mass decreases, as shown during the aging process. Our article aimed to compare the association between testosterone levels and grip strength to provide an earlier biomarker to detect muscle weakness.

We adopted quartile-based analysis by dividing handgrip power into quartiles, with all participants in the lowest quartile serving as the reference group. Linear regression analysis was conducted between handgrip power and testosterone. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the longitudinal correlation between testosterone levels and the presence of low muscle strength.

Serum testosterone levels had a significant correlation with grip strength in all models (p < .001). In addition, high testosterone levels were negatively associated with low muscle strength in all groups (p < .001). A stronger relationship was observed between testosterone levels and grip strength among non-obese participants than among obese participants.

In conclusion, our study highlighted that testosterone levels are related to greater grip strength.