Association between handgrip strength and symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students: A cross‐sectional study
- 1RAK Medical and Health Sciences University
Abstract
Handgrip strength is a simple and objective measure of muscle function, increasingly associated with physical and psychological health. However, data regarding its link to anxiety and depression in young adults remain limited. The aim of this study was to assess handgrip strength in healthy university students and examine its association with symptoms of anxiety and depression. This cross‐sectional study included 216 undergraduate students (mean age: 20.6 ± 4.7 years). Handgrip strength of each participant was measured using a digital hand dynamometer. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the GAD‐7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7) and the PHQ‐9 (Patient Health Questionnaire‐9), respectively. Pearson correlations and independent sample t‐tests were used for statistical analysis. Handgrip strength showed a small but statistically significant negative correlation with PHQ‐9 (left hand: r = −0.148, p = 0.030) and GAD‐7 (left hand: r = −0.185, p = 0.006) scores. These associations were stronger in female participants. Anxiety and depression scores were strongly positively correlated (r = 0.705, p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate lower handgrip strength was associated with higher anxiety and depression symptoms in healthy university students, especially in female students. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality.
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BibTeX
@article{khadeeja2026association,
title = {{Association between handgrip strength and symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students: A cross‐sectional study}},
author = {Liyan Khadeeja and B. K. Manjunatha Goud and Rajani Dube and Subhranshu Sekhar Kar and Burhanuddin Murtaza Patanwala},
journal = {Physiological reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.14814/phy2.71143},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13673126},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Association between handgrip strength and symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students: A cross‐sectional study
AU - Liyan Khadeeja
AU - B. K. Manjunatha Goud
AU - Rajani Dube
AU - Subhranshu Sekhar Kar
AU - Burhanuddin Murtaza Patanwala
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Physiological reports
DO - 10.14814/phy2.71143
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13673126
AB - Handgrip strength is a simple and objective measure of muscle function, increasingly associated with physical and psychological health. However, data regarding its link to anxiety and depression in young adults remain limited. The aim of this study was to assess handgrip strength in healthy university students and examine its association with symptoms of anxiety and depression. This cross‐sectional study included 216 undergraduate students (mean age: 20.6 ± 4.7 years). Handgrip strength of each participant was measured using a digital hand dynamometer. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the GAD‐7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7) and the PHQ‐9 (Patient Health Questionnaire‐9), respectively. Pearson correlations and independent sample t‐tests were used for statistical analysis. Handgrip strength showed a small but statistically significant negative correlation with PHQ‐9 (left hand: r = −0.148, p = 0.030) and GAD‐7 (left hand: r = −0.185, p = 0.006) scores. These associations were stronger in female participants. Anxiety and depression scores were strongly positively correlated (r = 0.705, p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate lower handgrip strength was associated with higher anxiety and depression symptoms in healthy university students, especially in female students. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality.
SN - 2051-817X
ER -