Non-dominant Handgrip Strength Research Articles

A Comparison of the Anaerobic Power in Sub-Elite Male Racket and Futsal Players

The aim of this study was to define anaerobic powers of sub-elite level racket and futsal players playing at university teams and to make comparison whether there was a difference between two groups or not. 12 racket (age: 19.83±1.02 yr) and 10 futsal players (age: 20.80±0.91 yr), 22 male players in total, voluntarily took part in this study. Body composition, Wingate anaerobic power test (WAnT), vertical jump, Illinois agility, handgrip strength and isokinetic leg strength measurements of the participants were carried out. SPSS 22.0 was used for data analysis and “Independent Samples T test” was used for comparing the data. Relative peak power (RPP) was as 12.04 W/kg, 11.41 W/kg in racket and futsal players respectively, at WAnT. And for the strength test, isokinetic extensor strength was measured as 220.61 Nm, and 217.40 Nm, isokinetic flexor strength as 134.82 Nm and 126.28 Nm. Dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) handgrip strength measurements of the participants were detected as 51.51 kg/f and 49.58 kg/f in racket sports players, as 43.42 kg/f and 41.37 kg/f in futsal players respectively. The difference between these variables was found statistically significant only at D (p = .009) and ND (p = .004), handgrip strength parameters, the difference in other variables was not found significant. As a consequence, although WAnT, handgrip and isokinetic leg strength of racket sports players were found higher than futsal players, only the difference between handgrip strengths was statistically significant. This result showed us that there was no statistical difference between anaerobic strength parameters of racket and futsal players except for handgrip strengths.

Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Are Associated with Lower Cognitive Function: A Panel Study.

Examining handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry and weakness together may extend the predictive capacity of HGS for capturing possible health problems such as cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on lower cognitive functioning in a national sample of aging Americans. Longitudinal panel. Participant residences. The analytic sample included 17,163 Americans aged 65.0 years (standard deviation = 10.1 years) who participated in the 2006 to 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). A handgrip dynamometer was used to measure HGS; weakness was defined as HGS below 26 kg (men) or below 16 kg (women). Persons with HGS above 10% stronger on either hand were considered as having any HGS asymmetry. Those with HGS that was more than 10% stronger on their dominant or nondominant hand were considered as having dominant or nondominant HGS asymmetry, respectively. The Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status determined lower cognitive functioning (≤11 for ages 50-64 years; ≤10 for ages ≥65 years). Covariate-adjusted linear mixed-effects models analyzed the associations of each HGS asymmetry and weakness group on lower cognitive functioning. Relative to those with symmetric HGS and no weakness, each HGS asymmetry and weakness group had greater odds for lower cognitive functioning: 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.27) for any HGS asymmetry alone, 1.64 (95% CI = 1.21-2.23) for weakness alone, and 1.95 (95% CI = 1.51-2.53) for any HGS asymmetry and weakness. Each HGS asymmetry dominance and weakness group also had greater odds for lower cognitive functioning: 1.12 (95% CI = 1.01-1.25) for asymmetric dominant HGS alone, 1.27 (95% CI = 1.05-1.53) for asymmetric nondominant HGS alone, 1.64 (95% CI = 1.21-2.23) for weakness alone, 1.89 (95% CI = 1.39-2.57) for weakness and asymmetric dominant HGS, and 2.10 (95% CI = 1.37-3.20) for weakness and asymmetric nondominant HGS. The presence of both HGS asymmetry and weakness may predict accelerated declines in cognitive functioning.

Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness are Differentially Associated with Functional Limitations in Older Americans.

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a convent measure of strength capacity and associated with several age-related health conditions such as functional disability. Asymmetric strength between limbs has been linked to diminished function. Therefore, both HGS asymmetry and weakness could be associated with functional disability. We examined the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on functional limitations in a nationally representative sample of older Americans. Methods: Data were analyzed from 2689 adults ≥ 60 years who participated in the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weakness was defined as HGS < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. Asymmetry was determined from the ratio of the dominant and non-dominant HGS. Those with HGS ratio 0.9–1.1 were considered as having HGS symmetry, and those outside this range had asymmetry. Results: Compared to those with symmetric HGS and were not weak, those with weakness alone, and both weakness and HGS asymmetry had 2.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–5.35) and 3.93 (CI: 1.18–13.07) greater odds for functional limitations, respectively. However, HGS asymmetry alone was not associated with functional limitations (odds ratio: 0.80; CI: 0.62–1.03). Conclusion: The use of HGS asymmetry in protocols could improve the prognostic value of handgrip dynamometers.

Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Together Are Associated With Functional Disability in Aging Americans.

Evaluating handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry may help to improve the prognostic value of HGS. This study sought to determine the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on future activities of daily living (ADL) disability in a national sample of aging Americans. The analytic sample included 18,468 Americans aged ≥50 years from the 2006-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. A handgrip dynamometer measured HGS. Those with HGS >10% stronger on either hand were considered as having any HGS asymmetry. Individuals with HGS >10% stronger on their dominant hand were considered as having dominant HGS asymmetry, while those with HGS >10% stronger on their nondominant hand were classified as having nondominant HGS asymmetry. Men with HGS <26 kg and women with HGS <16 kg were considered weak. ADLs were self-reported. Generalized estimating equations were used for analyses. Relative to those with symmetric HGS and no weakness, each HGS asymmetry and weakness group had increased odds for future ADL disability: 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.20) for any HGS asymmetry alone, 1.42 (CI: 1.16-1.74) for weakness alone, and 1.81 (CI: 1.52-2.16) for both any HGS asymmetry and weakness. Most weakness and HGS asymmetry dominance groups had increased odds for future ADL disability: 1.30 (CI: 1.13-1.50) for nondominant HGS asymmetry alone, 1.42 (CI: 1.16-1.74) for weakness alone, 1.72 (CI: 1.29-2.29) for both weakness and nondominant HGS asymmetry, and 1.86 (CI: 1.52-2.28) for both weakness and dominant HGS asymmetry. HGS asymmetry and weakness together may increase the predictive utility of handgrip dynamometers.

The study of the correlations between handgrip strength and some anthropometric characteristics of upper extremity of elite and sub-elite Olympic style weightlifting athletes

Background and Study Aim: Handgrip strength is widely used as a functionality parameter of the upper extremity and general health. The measurement of handgrip strength by dynamometry is a low cost, noninvasive method of simple applicability. The study aims to find out handgrip strength and its correlation with some anthropometric characteristics of the upper extremity and weightlifting performance of elite (international medalists) and sub-elite (national medalists) Olympic style weightlifting athletes. Material and Methods: We obtained anthropometric measurements of upper extremity of elite athletes (n=25 male, n= 20 female) and sub-elite athletes (n=25 male, n=29 female) in the study. Dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength measurements of the groups were obtained by a Jamar dynamometer, according to the recommendations of the American Association of Hand Therapists. Results:No statistically significant difference was observed in non-dominant handgrip strength of male elite and sub-elite weightlifting athletes. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in between some anthropometric characteristics of upper extremity and dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength of female elite and sub-elite weightlifting athletes. We didn’t find any asymmetry between dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength of study groups. We found a significant correlation between dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength of male and female elite athletes and their height, body weight, BMI and weightlifting performance. Conclusions: Consequently, we might explain that adding special exercises into the general trainings of athletes to develop handgrip strength might contribute to the weightlifting performance of the athletes.

Relations of Executive Function and Physical Performance in Middle Adulthood: A Prospective Investigation in African American and White Adults.

Previous studies in older adults found robust associations between executive functions (EF) and physical performance, as well as sociodemographic variation in physical performance decline. To examine these associations earlier in the adult lifespan, we investigated relations of EF, race, and sex with age-related physical performance decline during middle adulthood. Participants were 2,084 urban-dwelling adults (57.2% female; 57.8% African American; 37.3% living in poverty; mean baseline age = 48.1) from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study. Mixed-effects regression was used to examine interactive relations among EF, race, sex, and age (indexing time) with change in dominant and nondominant handgrip strength and lower extremity strength over approximately 5 years. All analyses adjusted for poverty status, and subsequently adjusted for education, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes. There were no significant prospective associations between EF and decline in physical performance measures. Significant cross-sectional associations revealed that lower EF was associated with worse performance on all physical performance measures averaged across both time points (p < .05). A significant two-way interaction of Sex × Age (p = .019) revealed that men experienced greater age-related decline in lower extremity strength than women. Findings did not reveal prospective associations between EF and physical performance decline in middle adulthood. However, they identified robust cross-sectional associations between EF and physical performance, and unexpectedly greater decline in lower extremity strength in men than women. Ultimately, these findings may inform prevention and intervention strategies targeting groups at risk for poorer physical function status and decline.

Comparison of anthropometric profile and handgrip strength between inter-university volleyball players and a reference group

Summary Study aim: In a volleyball game, multiple elements can influence competitive success, e.g. height, arm span and other anthropometric variables. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to find out whether any differences exist between Indian inter-university male and female volleyball players as well as between players and a reference group in terms of anthropometry and handgrip strength. Materials and methods: The present cross-sectional research was conducted on 114 randomly selected Indian inter-university male (n = 50) and female (n = 64) volleyball players aged 18–25 years. An equal number of reference group individuals who did not participate in any exercise or training programme were also taken. Height, body weight, body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), hand length, hand breadth, second digit length, fourth digit length, second and fourth digit ratio (2D/4D ratio), upper arm length, forearm length, total arm length, upper arm circumference, hip circumference; humerus and femur biepicondylar diameters, handgrip strength (dominant/non-dominant), arm muscle area, arm area, arm fat area, arm fat index, % body fat, and % lean body mass were measured with equipment including an anthropometer, sliding caliper, handgrip dynamometer and skinfold caliper using standard techniques. The data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Student’s t-test was applied for the comparison of data between players and the reference group. Differences between the groups were analysed using the oneway ANOVA test. Bonferroni post hoc test was applied after application of the ANOVA test. Effect size was also calculated. Statistical significance (p &lt; 0.05) was indicated using a 5% level of probability. Results: Male volleyball players had higher mean values in height, body weight, hand length, hand breadth, second and fourth digit length, dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength, humerus and femur biepicondylar diameter, upper arm length, forearm length and total arm length, arm muscle area, arm area and percent lean body mass than the reference group. Similar findings were observed between female players and the reference group also. Statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05–0.001) were also observed between male and female players except BMI, 2D/4D ratio, and arm fat area. These findings were supported by the effect size (η) calculations. Conclusion: Volleyball players had better height, weight, hand and arm anthropometrics, handgrip strength and % lean body mass as compared to the reference group. Significant differences were found in anthropometry and handgrip strength between players and reference group individuals, suggesting that these findings could be very useful for player selection and talent identification in sports.

The Association Between Hand Grip Strength and Hand Span of Dominant and Non-dominant Hand of Undergraduate Physiotherapy Students

The Association Between Hand Grip Strength and Hand Span of Dominant and Non-dominant Hand of Undergraduate Physiotherapy Students

Nutritional assessment, handgrip strength and adductor pollicis muscle thickness in patients with chronic viral hepatitis

Summary Backgrounds & aims Nutritional status of patients with chronic liver disease has been gaining prominence since it is directly associated to morbidity and mortality. However, there is still no consensus on the best method for nutritional assessment given the great variability of body composition and the several stages of the disease. The objective was to compare different methods of nutritional evaluation of subjects with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH), including handgrip strength (HGS) and adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT), as well as their influence factors. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled sixty-nine non-cirrhotic patients with CVH by B or C viruses. Subjects were evaluated and classified through subjective global assessment (SGA), anthropometry, HGS and APMT. Each parameter was compared between gender by chi-square test, and by T test within the categories of SGA. Finally, simple correlation and multivariate linear regression were performed to obtain the strength of association of the collected variables and HGS. Results According to the SGA, one-third were considered at nutritional risk (SGA-B). Nutritional risk was found in 59.4%, 65.2% and 88% based on HGS, mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and APMT, respectively. The dominant APMT obtained a mean of 17.2 ± 5.4 mm vs 16.2 ± 4.6 mm of the non-dominant hand. On the other hand, the dominant HGS had a mean of 27.3 ± 11.2 vs 24.2 ± 11.0 of the non-dominant HGS. APMT and HGS values for any limb were significantly higher in males, but below thresholds patterns described for any gender. The HGS of both hands were correlated with sex, age, weight, height, MAMC, tricipital skinfold and APMT (p Conclusion There was a higher nutritional risk in patients with stable CVH when variables dependent of muscle mass were analyzed. APMT was an independent parameter to predict HGS value. We encourage malnutrition screening based on anthropometry, HGS and APMT, since SGA is not such a reliable tool for CVH.

P.039 Risk for disability pension among antidepressant treated patients with and without treatment resistant depression: matched cohort study in Swedish registers

Assessing handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry may provide insights into HGS as a prognostic assessment of strength capacity and vitality. This study sought to determine the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on time to mortality in aging Americans.Longitudinal panel.Secondary analyses of data from participants aged ≥50 years from the 2006‒2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study.The analytic sample included 19,325 Americans who identified hand dominance and had measures of HGS for both hands in a single wave.A handgrip dynamometer was used to measure HGS. Men and women who were considered weak had HGS <26 kg and <16 kg, respectively. The highest HGS values from the dominant and nondominant hands were used to calculate HGS ratio: (nondominant HGS/dominant HGS). Those with HGS ratio <0.90 or >1.10 had any HGS asymmetry. Moreover, participants with HGS ratio <0.90 had dominant HGS asymmetry, whereas those with HGS ratio >1.10 had nondominant HGS asymmetry. The National Death Index and postmortem interviews verified date of death. Covariate-adjusted Cox models were used for analyses.Those with any HGS asymmetry had a 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03‒1.17] higher hazard for mortality, while those with weakness had a 1.44 (CI 1.32‒1.58) higher hazard for mortality. Likewise, participants with dominant HGS asymmetry had a 1.11 (CI 1.03‒1.18) higher hazard for mortality, and those with weakness had a 1.45 (CI 1.32‒1.58) higher hazard for mortality; however, the association was not significant for those with nondominant HGS asymmetry (hazard ratio: 1.07; CI 0.96‒1.18).HGS asymmetry and weakness are markers of impaired strength capacity that independently accelerate time to mortality, but the magnitude of these associations was more prominent for weakness. Nevertheless, assessments of asymmetric HGS are a simple adjunct analysis that may show promise for increasing the prognostic value of handgrip dynamometers.

Examination of the Effect of Badminton Education on Physical and Selected Performance Characteristics

This study was conducted on a total of 16 female students studying at the 1st grade of Bing&amp;ouml;l University, School of Physical Education and Sports. Students participated in the study voluntarily and divided into 8 experimental groups (EG) and 8 control groups (CG). In the study, height, body weight, dominant hand grip strength, non-dominant hand grip strength, back strength, leg strength, 30-meter speed running, flexibility measurement, vertical jump, long jump tests were applied to the experimental and control groups as pre-test and post-test. Statistical analysis of the study was performed using SPSS 22.0 program. The analysis of the data in-group and intergroup measurements were performed by MANOVA and p &amp;lt; 0.05 was taken as statistical significance level. While there was no statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in terms of pre-test measurement results, there was a statistically significant difference in body fat percentage, body weight, body mass index value in favor of EG in physical measurements after 8-week training. Also, in terms of performance characteristics, according to the post-test measurement results, the differences between experimental and control group dominant hand strength and non-dominant hand strength, 30 m speed average was significantin favor of EG, and again the difference between long jump and vertical jump tests was statistically significant in favor of EG in final test measurement results. As a result, it can be said that 8-week basic badminton training has positive effects on female students both physically and physiologically.

Maximal Jaw Opening as a Method of Producing Concurrent Activation Potentiation

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine maximal jaw opening as a strategy to elicit concurrent activation potentiation during countermovement vertical jump performance and bilateral grip strength assessment in both males and females. Methods: Twenty-four males (age 21.25 ± 1.45 years; height 177.64 ± 7.67 cm; mass 83.87 ± 9.08 kg) and 24 females (age 21.38 ± 2.12 years; height 165.84 ± 8.96 cm; mass 66.4 ± 13.42 kg) participated in this investigation. Maximal countermovement jump height was recorded using a Just Jump Mat, and dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength was recorded using a digital hand dynamometer under two experimental conditions: jaw relaxed and jaw maximally opened. Paired-sample t-tests were conducted for each dependent variable of interest to determine the differences between the research conditions. Results: Maximally opening the jaw led to improvements in vertical jump height (p = 0.013, d = 0.225), dominant hand (p = 0.028, d = 0.162), and non-dominant handgrip strength (p = 0.011, d = 0.241) in males, and although these variables were improved in females under the jaw open condition, that improvement did not reach statistical significance (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study supports maximally opening the jaw as an effective strategy for producing concurrent activation potentiation, particularly in males.

Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes.

Background: Aerial fitness is quickly gaining popularity; however, little is known regarding the physiological demands of aerial athletes. The purpose of the study was to examine contralateral muscle imbalances, compare dominant versus non-dominant hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratios, and to establish a physiological profile of recreational aerial athletes. Methods: Thirteen aerialist women visited a local aerial studio to participate in a data collection session to examine isometric levels of upper and lower body strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Results: No significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant hand grip strength (p = 0.077), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee flexion (p = 0.483), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee extension (p = 0.152), or dominant and non-dominant isometric H:Q ratios (p = 0.102). In addition, no significant difference was found between isometric dominant H:Q ratio and the widely-used value of 0.60 (p = 0.139). However, isometric non-dominant H:Q ratio was significantly lower than the 0.60 criterion (p = 0.004). Aerial athletes demonstrated to have excellent flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and average strength. Conclusions: Aerial fitness may be another recreational activity that could be used to maintain higher levels of flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and strength. Aerialists may want to consider focusing on strengthening the lower body and balancing the hamstrings and quadriceps muscle strength.

Effect of 8-week Nordic walking training on nondominant hand grip and shoulder strength in middle-aged women.

Nordic walking (NW) is a full body training that can be performed with special pole, and has been recognized as an effective out-door activity which can improve the strength of upper extremity. Most previous studies mainly analyzed the effect of NW on the strength of dominant (DN) hand-grip strength, however, a clear scientific examination is needed whether nondominant (NDN) extremity can also be ameliorated by the NW. Therefore, the aim of our study is to investigate the effectiveness of 8 weeks NW training on the NDN handgrip and shoulder strength in healthy middle-aged women. 29 subjects were randomly divided into three groups: Nordic walking group (NWG, n=10), brisk walking group (BWG, n=11), and control group (CG, n=8). Handgrip and shoulder strength were measured by the hand dynamometer and isokinetic machine. NW training was performed 3 times a week, and had 10-min warm-up, 40-min main program consisted of ALFA (Attention, Long arms, Flat poles, Adaptes) technique and Turbo walking, and 10-min cool-down. In handgrip strength of DN hand and the shoulder flexor strength in the both sides, NWG and BWG showed significantly higher value compared to CG. In the NDN hand, NWG also showed significantly higher strength compared to CG, however, there was no significant difference in the handgrip strength/weight among groups. In NDN shoulder extension, significantly higher improvement was found in NWG and BWG compared to that of CG. In conclusion, our study showed that NW can improve the strength of upper extremity in subjects, and can be better approach to improve the NDN handgrip strength than brisk walking method could.

Non-dominant Hand-grip Strength Is Positively Associated With Areal Bone Mineral Density In College-aged Women

Non-dominant Hand-grip Strength Is Positively Associated With Areal Bone Mineral Density In College-aged Women

Phase angle as a marker for sarcopenia in cirrhosis

In patients with cirrhosis nutritional disturbances can progress to sarcopenia, worsening the disease prognosis. Phase angle (PA) may be a useful marker for sarcopenia in this clinical population reflecting the cellular integrity level. This cross-sectional and prospective study evaluated the association between low PA values and clinical/nutritional variables in cirrhosis with emphasis on sarcopenia. Male patients with cirrhosis (n=122) were grouped according their PA values (>4.9° or≤4.9°) after performing electrical bioimpedance. Sarcopenia diagnosis was assessed by considering appendicular skeletal muscle mass indexes <7.0kg/m2 (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and non-dominant handgrip strength (HGS)<27kg (dynamometry). Logistic regression model was used to examine the correlation between clinical/nutritional variables and PA values and the ROC curve area was calculated to identify the power of PA values in predicting sarcopenia. Sarcopenic patients presented lower HGS (19.57 vs. 30.55, p=0.000), PA value (4.18 vs. 5.39, p=0.005), SM (17.17 vs. 22.00 (p=0.05), reactance (36.76 vs. 51.11, p=0.023), and albumin (3.10 vs. 3.75, p=0.037), as well as higher resistance values (512.56 vs. 457.01, p=0.021) and CRP levels (7.89 vs. 3.53, p=0.040) than non-sarcopenic patients. Furthermore, the PA values≤5.05° were able to predict with high sensitivity the diagnosis of sarcopenia in the studied population. In male patients with cirrhosis, low PA values may reflect disease prognosis by correlating to sarcopenia among other clinical/nutritional changes and performed as a good marker for this main nutritional complication when ≤5.05°.

Gender differences in blood pressure and body composition in schoolchildren ascendants from Amerindian and European

ABSTRACT Background: In spite of there are a wide knowledge of the prevalence of hypertension in adult, there is poor information on schoolchildren of different ethnicity and gender. Aim: To compare the levels of blood pressure and other cardiometabolic risk factors for hypertension between schoolchildren of different gender and ethnicity. Material and methods: In a cross-sectional study, 540 schoolchildren (6–13 years) ascendants from a Chilean public school population were analysed by ethnicity and gender in four groups (Mapuches N = 55; European boys N = 199, and Mapuches N = 64, and European girls N = 222). The study included the measurement of cardiovascular (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) as main outcomes, as well as other cardiovascular (resting heart rate), body composition (body mass, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, muscle mass), muscle strength (handgrip strength of dominant, non-dominant, and mean handgrip strength) as additional cardiometabolic outcomes. Results: The systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in Mapuches girls 126 ± 4 vs. their European counterparts 119 ± 3 mmHg, P < .002, as well as diastolic blood pressure, was higher in Mapuches girls 82 ± 5 vs. European girls 74 ± 3 mmHg, P < .0001. There were more ‘prehypertensive’ Mapuches girls 10 (15.6%) vs. European peers 22 (9.9%) at P < .0001, and the ‘hypertension’ was significantly more prevalent in Mapuches boys 19 (34.5%) vs. European peers 39 (19.4%) at P < .0001, as well as in Mapuches girls 16 (25%) vs. European peers 33 (14.9%) at P < .0001. The ‘obesity’ was less prevalent in Mapuches 10 (18.2%) vs. European boys 55 (27.4%) at P < .0001. The waist circumference was high in European 74 ± 4 vs. Mapuches 67 ± 6 cm, P < .012 in boys, although, waist circumference was high in Mapuches girls 75 ± 5 vs. European peers 71 ± 3 cm, P < .021. There were higher levels of muscle mass in Mapuches boys 19.5 ± 12 vs. European peers 17.1 ± 4 kg, P < .0001. Conclusion: Mapuches girls show higher levels of systolic and diastolic BP than European girls, Mapuches boys and girls are more hypertensive than European peers, but are less obese than European schoolchildren peers. These cardiometabolic differences that are more detrimental for endemic ethnic Latinoamerican groups are in need to be explored further.

Higher symptom burden is associated with lower function in women taking adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer.

To explore the impact of symptoms on physical function in women on adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer. Eligible women were postmenopausal, had hormone receptor positive, stage I-IIIA breast cancer, completed surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and on adjuvant endocrine therapy. At a routine follow-up visit, women (N = 107) completed standardized symptom measures: Brief Fatigue Inventory, Brief Pain Inventory, Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Neurotoxicity scales. Two performance measures assessed function: grip strength (Jamar dynamometer; n = 71) and timed get-up-and-go (TUG; n = 103). Analyses were performed with an overall symptom composite score. Correlations and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to test adverse effects on physical function. The mean age was 64 years (range 45-84), 81% white, 84% on an aromatase inhibitor, and on endocrine therapy for mean 35 months (range 1-130 months). Dominant hand grip strength was inversely correlated with symptom composite scores (r = -0.29, p = .02). Slower TUG was positively correlated with higher Charlson comorbidity level (r = 0.36, p < .001) and higher symptom composite scores (r = 0.24, p = .01). In multivariate analyses, weaker dominant and non-dominant hand grip strength were significantly associated with greater symptom composite scores (β = -0.27, t = 2.43, p = .02 and β = -0.36, t = 3.15, p = .003, respectively) and slower TUG was associated with higher symptom composite scores (β = 0.18, t = 1.97, p = .05). Higher symptom burden is associated with worse physical function, as measured by hand grip strength and TUG. Further study to determine the impact of endocrine therapy and its side effects on function is warranted.

Cognitive performance and physical fitness in the health of brazilian elderly women

This study investigated the association between cognitive performance and cardiorespiratory capacity, strength, body mass and body composition of Brazilian elderly women. The sample was composed by 44 Brazilian elderly women, 31 cognitively healthy and 13 with cognitive decline. In the cognitively healthy group, dominant hand grip strength was correlated with Stroop condition 3 performance, ACE-R Total and in verbal fluency and language subdomains. In cognitive decline group, correlations were observed between non-dominant hand grip strength and Stroop condition 3 and; VO2 cardiorespiratory capacity with the RAVLT learning curve in ACE-R Total and attention, language and visuospatial subdomains. These findings indicate that the relationship between cognitive and physiological measures in Brazilian elderly women is also moderated by cognitive health. On neuropsychological field physical and cognitive measures could be combined for successful aging.

Effect of 3-Month Lysine Supplementation on Growth and Muscle Function Parameters in Pre-pubertal Indian Girls

Lysine is the limiting amino acid in the predominantly cereal and legume based typical Indian diet and its supplementation has been shown to positively affect muscle strength in short term adult and animal models; but similar studies are lacking in children. This study looked at the effect of a 3-month lysine and iron intervention on muscle strength and growth parameters in prepubertal Indian girls. The study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in 40 normal Indian girls in the 9-10 yrs age group. The control group received only iron (6.25mg) supplementation, while the intervention group received both iron and lysine supplementation that increased the lysine intake to 50mg/kg/day. Muscle strength was estimated in both upper limbs with a hand dynamometer and muscle endurance was estimated in the non-dominant hand. Height and weight were recorded to assess growth. A significant difference was seen in the increase in the non-dominant hand grip strength between the groups (intervention: 1.4 vs control: 0.2 kg, p=0.042) at the end of the study. There was a trend of increased height gain (about 25%) and weight gain (about 50%) in the intervention group compared to control group. Lysine supplementation for 3 months increased non-dominant forearm muscle strength in Indian children.