Comparison of Handgrip Strength and Body Composition of Adolescents in Singapore Schools

Abstract

Handgrip strength test in adults and geriatrics population is identified as a reliable method and has close association with general health status and mortality rate. However, there is a lack of such data in adolescents. PURPOSE: To compare handgrip strength with body fat percentage (% body fat) of adolescents in Singapore schools. METHOD: A total of 1548 participants, 707 female (13.8 ± 1 years) and 841 male (14 ± 1.1 years) had their % body fat and handgrip strength test measured with a bio-impedance analysis and a hand dynamometer, respectively. Participants were instructed to perform a handgrip strength test thrice on each arm, in alternate turns. Results were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant negative correlations (r = -.065) between the handgrip strength (23.9 ± 7.4kg) and % body fat (21.5 ± 10.1) for the total cohort. Female participants have significantly higher % body fat and lower handgrip strength than male participants (female: % body fat = 25.9 ± 7.4, handgrip strength = 19.8 ± 3.9kg; male: % body fat = 17.9 ± 11.6; handgrip strength = 27.2 ± 8kg) (p < 0.05). Comparison between age groups also showed significant differences in % body fat (13 years old = 21.9 ± 10.4; 14 years old = 22.6 ± 10.4; 15 years old = 20.3 ± 9.3; 16 years old = 21.1 ± 9.3; 17 years old = 16.6 ± 6.2) and handgrip strength (13 years old = 21 ± 5.6kg.; 14 years old = 24.8 ± 6.6kg; 15 years old = 27.3 ± 8kg; 16 years old = 27.8 ± 9.4kg; 17 years old = 36.3 ± 8.1kg) (p < 0.05). Correlation values of % body fat and handgrip strength were significant for all age groups except for 14 years old (13 years old: r = .15; 14 years old: r = -.09; 15 years old: r = -.22; 16 years old: r = -.34; 17 years old: r = -.36) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that handgrip strength is higher in male and lower in female adolescents. For the whole cohort, higher handgrip strength for both male and female indicates a lower body fat percentage. These results may have implications for practitioners to include handgrip strength test as one of the test battery components for assessing health status in students as it is able to indicate high or low body fat percentage. “This work was carried out with the aid of a research grant (NIHA-2011-1-007) from the NUS Initiative to Improve Health in Asia (NIHA) coordinated by the Global Asia Institute of the National University of Singapore and supported by the Glaxo Smith Kline-Economic Development Board (Singapore) Trust Fund.”