Association between handgrip strength and maximum expiratory flow with site-specific bone mineral density of healthy...

To explore the association of handgrip strength and peak expiratory flow rate with site-specific bone mineral density T scores, and to study the correlation of body mass index and physical activity with the three parameters.

The cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2018 at the Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised healthy young adults. Data was collected using the international physical activity questionnaire. The subjects were grouped into low, moderate and high categories. Handgrip strength, peak expiratory flow rate, bone mineral density T scores and body mass index were measured for each subject. Data was analysed using SPSS 24.

Of the 102 subjects, 52(50.9%) were males and 50(49%) were females. There was a significant difference between the median values for all parameters of males and females (p<0.05). Bone mineral density and physical activity were moderately associated with handgrip strength and peak expiratory flow rate (p<0.05). Body mass index showed a moderate association with bone mineral density (p<0.05).

Healthy young adults with better respiratory function and handgrip strength were found to have higher values of site-specific calcaneal bone mineral density. Subjects with higher reported levels of physical activity and a higher body mass index within a healthy range presented with improved values of bone mineral density, handgrip strength and peak expiratory flow rate.