You are stronger than men half your age

One of the major critics that some have for the younger generations can be that they are “soft” or “weak”.  Well, now there is actual science to help back that up.

A recent study by the Journal of Hand Therapy has found that men aged between 20-34 have a weaker grip and pinch strength than men of the previous generation. Grip and pinch strength is determined by how strong your hand and forearms are.

The study showed that the strength has dropped by 12 kilogrammes, which is pretty astounding. While it might not seem like a big idea grip and pinch strength are indicative of your overall arm strength.

It has also been shown that if your overall grip and pinch strength is weak that it can contribute to higher risks of arthritis, heart disease, stroke and neurological conditions as stated in the 2011 study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Some of the factors that have contributed to lower grip strength are technological innovations that mean a lot of manual tasks have been given to robots rather than men. Fields such as farming, manufacturing, and mill work have become less labour intensive as the technology advances.

You need to make sure that grip and pinch strength workouts are added to your regular workout routine to promote good hand health. Below is a simple exercise that you can do at home that will allow you to improve the grip strength in your hands. Of course, you should always check with your doctor if you have previous hand conditions before trying any new exercise. Each person’s hand health is going to be different.

What other health benefits has technology made us lose? What do you think could be done to counteract this trend? Do you do grip strength exercises?