Evolution & Human Behavior
Volume 28, Issue 6 , Pages 423-429, November 2007

Handgrip strength predicts sexual behavior, body morphology, and aggression in male college students

  • Andrew C. Gallup

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
    • Current address: Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA.
    • ,
  • Daniel D. White

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
    • ,
  • Gordon G. Gallup Jr

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.

Received 23 April 2007; accepted 20 July 2007. published online 28 September 2007.

Abstract 

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a noninvasive measure of physical health that is negatively correlated with disability, morbidity, and mortality rates in adults. Highly heritable, HGS is indicative of blood testosterone levels and levels of fat-free body mass. In this study, we investigated whether HGS was related to measures of body morphology [shoulder-to-hip ratio (SHR), waist-to-hip ratio, and second-digit-to-fourth-digit ratio (2D:4D)], aggressive behavior, and sexual history in 82 male and 61 female college students. Results showed that HGS was correlated with SHRs, aggressive behavior, age at first sexual intercourse, and promiscuity in males but not in females. HGS appears to be an honest signal for genetic quality in males.

Keywords: Handgrip strength, Testosterone, Shoulder-to-hip ratios, Aggression, Age at first sex, Number of sex partners, Sex differences

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1090-5138(07)00066-9

doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2007.07.001

Evolution & Human Behavior
Volume 28, Issue 6 , Pages 423-429, November 2007

Article Tools