Association Between Maximal Bench Press Strength and Isometric Handgrip Strength Among Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Objective To characterize the relationship between 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press strength and isometric handgrip strength among breast cancer survivors. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Laboratory. Participants Community-dwelling breast cancer survivors (N=295). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure 1-RM bench press strength was measured with a barbell and exercise bench. Isometric handgrip strength was measured using an isometric dynamometer, with 3 maximal contractions of the left and right hands. All measures were conducted by staff with training in clinical exercise testing. Results Among 295 breast cancer survivors, 1-RM bench press strength was 18.2±6.1kg (range, 2.2–43.0kg), and isometric handgrip strength was 23.5±5.8kg (range, 9.0–43.0kg). The strongest correlate of 1-RM bench press strength was the average isometric handgrip strength of both hands (r=.399; P