Introduction
Although decline in muscle mass and quality and resulting declines in muscle strength
are associated with aging, more research is needed in general populations to assess
the utility of handgrip strength as an indicator of muscle strength and cardiovascular
disease risk.
Methods
Data from 4,221 participants aged ≥20 years in the 2011–2012 cycle of National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed during 2014–2015. Standing isometric
relative handgrip strength (calculated as maximal absolute handgrip strength from
both hands divided by BMI) was used to predict cardiovascular biomarkers, including
blood pressure (measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure); serum lipids (total
cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,
and triglycerides); and plasma insulin and glucose.
Results
Results from regression analyses showed that higher relative grip strength was significantly
associated with lower systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and plasma insulin and
glucose, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in male and female participants
(p<0.05 for all). Secondary descriptive analyses found that absolute handgrip strength
increased significantly with increasing weight status, but relative handgrip strength
decreased significantly with increasing weight status.
Conclusions
Results suggest that increased relative handgrip strength may be associated with a
better profile of cardiovascular health biomarkers among U.S. adults. Relative grip
strength, which both adjusts for the confounding of mass and assesses concomitant
health risks of increased body size and low muscle strength, may be a useful public
health measure of muscle strength.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 11, 2015
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
