VIDEO: Why women prefer to marry men with a strong hand grip

Why women prefer to marry men with a strong hand grip

Women prefer to marry men who have a strong hand grip, a study has revealed.

Researchers discovered that the stronger the grip, the more likely that the man was married. The same correlation was not found with women.

Grip strength is an established measure of health and has been linked to the ability to cope independently and predict the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Donald Trump meets with Angela Merkel in the Oval Office of the White House/The Telegrap

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The findings came from researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the Columbia Ageing Centre, who discovered the marital benefits of a stronger grip.

Researchers studied a population of more than 5,000 adults from the Norwegian city of Tromso to examine the relationship of marital status to grip strength.

"Our results hint that women may be favouring partners 

who signal strength and vigour when they marry'

Vegard Skirbekk

The study contained two successive groups of people - those born between 1923-35 and 1936-48, and assessed grip strength when respondents were aged 59 to 71.

In the tests, using data matched with the Norwegian national death registry, hand grip strength was assessed using a vigorimeter - a device that asks participants to squeeze a rubber balloon.

The researchers found greater numbers of unmarried men with low grip strength in the second group - those born 1936-48, than in the earlier group.

These findings were said to be influenced by societal trends that have increasingly de-emphasised the importance of marriage.

Study author Vegard Skirbekk, a professor at the Columbia Ageing Center, said: "Our results hint that women may be favouring partners who signal strength and vigour when they marry.

"If longer-lived women marry healthier men, then both may avoid or defer the role of caregiver, while less healthy men remain unmarried and must look elsewhere for assistance."

Grip strength is particularly important for older adults and has implications for a host of health risks - for heart disease, physical mobility, the capacity to be socially active and healthy, and to enjoy a good quality of life.

The results, which also stressed the health benefits of marriage and companionship, was published online in the journal SSM-Population Health.

What other handshakes can say about you?

The hand hug

The hand hug is favoured among politicians for its ability to provide a warm, trusting, protective, and humble demeanour. It's simply executed by placing your left hand over you and your co-shakers intertwined hands. It's a sign of intimacy and affection, a formal version of the man hug, if you will. 

The alpha

Many like to assert their authority with an overzealous shake - or perhaps they just have a really healthy heart. Features include a crushing grip, an uncomfortable stare, and perhaps a firm and slightly painful pat on the back.

Handshake Donald Trump Vladimir Putin 

When alpha meets alpha CREDIT: MIKHAIL METZEL/TASS

Successful businessmen are often practitioners of the alpha shake. The most notable example, of course, is Donald Trump. The Trumpian shake (also known as the 'yankshake' and a subcategory of the alpha), involves a firm and uncomfortable clasp, a yank towards him to assert authority, and a release at his preferred time. 

The flaccid shake 

The flaccid shake, or the dead fish, also known as the "Queen's fingertips", can denote two things. First, it may imply weakness and awkwardness, and is often used by an unwilling participant in the shake. Conversely it may be used as a sign of superiority, by the Queen, for example. 

The fist bump 

The fist bump is a complex one. While it can give off an informal, playful, vibe, it can also lead to many an awkward situation. Initiating a fist bump risks causing confusion, with the dreaded outcome of the other participant clasping your fist. The fist bump is best kept between friends.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/27/women-prefer-marry-men-strong-hand-grip

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