Relationship Between Handgrip Strength and Competitive Performance in Powerlifting

The

Aim: of this study was to examine the relationship between handgrip strength and powerlifting competition performance and to explore the potential influence of handgrip strength asymmetry on performance. A total of 45 male powerlifting athletes competing in different body weight categories participated in the study. Handgrip strength was measured in the dominant and non-dominant hands using a hand dynamometer, and handgrip strength asymmetry (HGSA) was calculated as the absolute percentage difference between the two hands. Performance was assessed based on the athletes’ best official competition

Results: in the deadlift, squat, and bench press. Athletes were classified into low (≤10%), moderate (10–15%), and high (≥15%) HGSA groups. Between-group comparisons were conducted using one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between handgrip strength and performance variables. The

results indicated no statistically significant differences in deadlift, squat, or bench press performance across HGSA groups (p>0,05). The mean HGSA was 9.60±6.54%, indicating that asymmetry levels generally remained within functional limits. In contrast, absolute handgrip strength was significantly associated with powerlifting competition performance. Right handgrip strength demonstrated moderate positive correlations with all three lifts, whereas left handgrip strength was significantly associated only with bench press performance. In

Conclusion: , handgrip strength asymmetry does not appear to be a performance-limiting factor in powerlifting athletes when maintained within functional boundaries (≤15%). However, absolute handgrip strength is positively associated with powerlifting competition performance.