Exploratory Associations Between Handgrip Strength, Fatigue State, and Cycling Performance in Trained Cyclists

Abstract

Practical readiness monitoring requires rapid, low-cost, and accessible measures. This exploratory repeated-measures study investigated whether the handgrip strength test (HGS) reflects short-term changes in fatigue and readiness in trained cyclists. Twenty-two trained male cyclists completed laboratory testing after rest, easy training, high-intensity training, and long-duration exercise. HGS at 90° and 180° elbow flexion, Hooper Index (HI), heart rate variability (HRV), physiological responses, blood lactate kinetics, power decrement, and cycling performance were assessed. Cycling performance and exercise heart-rate responses differed across conditions (p < 0.05). HGS90 also differed across conditions (p = 0.030), whereas HGS180 did not (p = 0.133). Higher HGS was associated with greater short-duration cycling power, particularly the 30 s performance, even after adjustment for body mass. However, within/between-athlete mixed models showed that these relationships primarily reflected stable differences between athletes: day-to-day HGS fluctuations were not associated with corresponding changes in performance, peak blood lactate, HRV, lactate clearance, or power decrement. Furthermore, HGS did not provide significant incremental information beyond condition, body mass, HI, and HRV. HGS may therefore complement assessments of cyclists’ power profiles, but the present findings do not support its use as an independent marker of acute readiness.