Key result
Dominant-arm systolic pressure and grip strength are higher in youth athletes, with ~12% showing significant asymmetry.
Why the study?
Inter-arm blood pressure difference is an established cardiovascular risk marker in adults, but evidence in paediatric populations remains limited.
Is there an association between inter-arm blood pressure difference and handgrip strength in young athletes?
Cross-Sectional (n=41)
Is there an association between inter-arm blood pressure difference and handgrip strength in young athletes?
In young athletes, dominant-arm superiority in both muscular strength and systolic BP is evident, suggesting bilateral BP assessment combined with handgrip strength may inform early cardiovascular evaluation.
May warrant caution interpreting IAD in young athletes; leaves open any causal or prognostic role pending longitudinal data.
Background: Inter-arm blood pressure difference (IAD) ≥ 10 mmHg is an established marker of cardiovascular risk in adults; however, evidence in paediatric populations remains limited. Handgrip strength (HGS) is increasingly recognized as a simple and reliable indicator of neuromuscular fitness and cardiometabolic health during growth and development. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between IAD and HGS in children and adolescent athletes and to explore the influence of anthropometric characteristics. Methods: Forty-one non-professional athletes aged 6–16 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric characteristics, bilateral resting BP, and bilateral HGS were assessed using standardized protocols. Inter-arm differences in systolic and diastolic BP were calculated. Results: An inter-arm systolic BP difference ≥ 10 mmHg was observed in 12.2% of participants. Dominant-arm systolic BP and HGS were significantly higher compared with the non-dominant side (p < 0.05). HGS showed a positive association with systolic BP, particularly in boys, whereas weaker associations were observed with diastolic BP. In regression analysis, BMI emerged as a significant predictor of systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: In young athletes, dominant-arm superiority in both muscular strength and systolic BP was evident. Bilateral BP assessment combined with HGS measurement may provide information during cardiovascular evaluation paediatric athletic populations.
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Pepera et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Youth athletes (n=41). Inter-arm blood pressure difference and handgrip strength assessment was evaluated on Association between inter-arm blood pressure difference and handgrip strength (p=<0.05). Dominant-arm systolic blood pressure and handgrip strength were significantly higher than the non-dominant side (p < 0.05) in youth athletes, with 12.2% having an inter-arm difference ≥10 mmHg.
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