Abstract

Background: Many clinical and epidemiological studies have used handgrip strength (HGS), which is a noninvasive, simple, and fast measure. It is also considered as the most trustworthy clinical estimation of human strength. HGS is influenced by various factors such as age, body size, posture, and gender, i.e., it shows sexual dimorphism. Aggression is also one such trait that shows sexual dimorphism.

Aims and Objective: To examine the relationship between HGS and aggression in 137 first-year medical students (female students = 69, male students = 68).

Materials and Methods: HGS was determined using handgrip dynamometer, and aggression scores were assessed by Buss–Perry Questionnaire. Gender-wise difference was analyzed by Student’s unpaired “t” test. Correlation between HGS and the various subscales of aggression was assessed by calculating Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results: Male subjects showed higher HGS than female subjects. There was a significantly higher score for physical aggression among male than female subjects, i.e., it showed significant sexual dimorphism. We found a significant positive correlation between HGS and physical aggression in male subjects only.

Conclusion: These results may be attributed to the effects of testosterone on muscles strength and the organizational effect of testosterone on adult physical aggression in male subjects.

Key words: Aggression, Gender Difference, Handgrip Strength