Final answer:
Mark's 40th percentile hand grip strength score is typically considered below average, but without specific norms for the test, it's difficult to assign a standard fitness category like 'fair' or 'good'. Categories are based on relative performance within a group and percentile ranges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fitness category for someone who scores in the 40th percentile on the hand grip strength test would generally be considered below average compared to their peers. This is based on percentile ranks which typically categorize an individual's relative performance within a group. The 40th percentile indicates that the individual's hand grip strength is better than 39% of their peers, but not as strong as the other 60%.
Usually, percentile charts have designated ranges that correspond to categories like below average, average, good, and excellent. While a score in the 50th to 59th percentile might be considered average, a score in the 40th percentile usually falls into the lower half of the distribution and is closer to a 'below average' classification. However, without specific context regarding the norms for this particular test, a direct correlation to a fitness category such as 'fair' or 'good' cannot be confidently made, as percentiles are relative to a specific population and the norms they follow.