A test of hand grip strength is important for assessing athletes from many sports. Hand Grip strength testing is also often used as a general test of body strength. Only a small sample of athlete results are available at this time. See out table of Grip Strength Norms for a wide range of ages, which can be used to compare hand grip test results.

Ice Hockey

  • At the 2015 NHL Combine, the best score on the grip strength test was 180 lbs (81.6 kg), achieved by Luke Opilka and Samuel Dove-McFalls on their left hands.
  • The best score at the 2012 NHL scouting combine for right hand grip was 167 lbs (75.8 kg) by Morgan Rielly of Moose Jaw (WHL). The average score from the combine was 128 lbs (58 kg) (see the top 2012 NHL combine results)
  • The best score at the 2011 NHL scouting combine for right hand grip was 177 lbs (80.3 kg) by Joseph Morrow of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) (see 2011 NHL combine results)
  • The average right-hand grip strength recorded at the NHL entry draft scouting combine over the last few years has been 127.6 lbs / 57.9 kg (2009), 129.7 lbs / 58.8 kg (2010) and 125.2 lbs / 56.8 kg (2011). (see NHL combine results summary)

Aussie Rules Football

  • Brett Deledio, AFL footballer from Richmond, scored 67 kg on his grip strength test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Athletics

  • Sean Wroe, Australian Olympic 400m sprinter, scored 49 kg on his grip strength test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).
handgrip dynamometer handgrip dynamometer

Jockey / Horse Racing

  • Michael Rodd, Melbourne Cup winning jockey, scored 45 kg on his grip strength test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Triathlon

  • Erin Densham, Olympic Triathlete, scored 27 kg on her grip strength test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Rowing

  • Drew Ginn, Australian Olympic rower, scored 52 kg on his grip strength test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Cycling

  • Peta Mullens, Australian cyclist, scored 29 kg on her grip strength test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Forces Standards

  • NSW (Australia) assessment test requires recruits to complete a handgrip exam (30kg each hand), While Victorian Police recruits require a handgrip score of at least 30kg for both male and female recruits (average of left and right hands).