Lower grip strength values are associated with increased levels of adiposity and excess weight: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: physical fitness (particularly the muscular strength component) is one of the most powerful markers of health. However, few studies have described the relationship of the higher adiposity phenotype with muscular strength in Latino schoolchildren. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between levels of handgrip strength (HGS) with different anthropometric markers. The central hypothesis of this study was that lower HGS values are associated with a higher adiposity phenotype in a sample of schoolchildren and adolescents. Research methods and procedures: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 6 public schools in Bogotá, Colombia, with a final sample of 430 participants (55.8 % women) between 9 and 17.9 years of age. Handgrip strength (HGS) was assessed with a handheld dynamometer, and normalized as HGS per body mass (i.e., [grip strength in kg)/(body mass in kg]). Tertiles of normalized HGS were obtained separately for both sexes and high HGS was defined as higher tertile (T3). Waist-to-height ratio, body mass index, and skinfold thickness were measured as adiposity parameters. Results: the mean (SD) age of participants was 13.2 (1.4) years. Significant inverse correlations were found between normalized HGS, waist-to-height ratio, body mass index, and skinfold thickness (range, r = -0.40 to -0.61; p < 0.001). Regardless of sex, participants with low HGS (below the first tertile) had the highest values of waist-to-height ratio, body mass index, and skinfold thickness after adjusting for age. Conclusion: muscular strength was inversely associated with a higher adiposity phenotype. HGS could have protective potential for increased levels of adiposity excess. The evaluation of muscular fitness at an early age will allow the implementation of future cardiovascular and metabolic risk prevention programs.