January 20, 2025– The firmness of handshakes could determine how successful people are at relationships.

Men and women with hard-gripping handshakes are much more likely to be in long-term relationships.

The study from Washington State University also outlined that both men and women who are strong in the handshake are likely to have more sexual partners – something which came as a shock to the experts.

Dr. Ed Hagen, an anthropologist from the university, said: “Men are stronger than women, on average, and men report more lifetime partners than women, but men and women are on the same regression line.

Men and Women with Strong Grips Have More Sexual Partners

“Regardless of whether they’re males or females, stronger individuals have more lifetime sexual partners.

“That was a surprising finding and somewhat contrary to the sexual selection hypothesis.”

Caroline Smith, a fellow anthropologist, added: “Besides acquiring more sexual partners, establishing long-term relationships was also likely to be important for men.”