Hand-grip strength in adults aged 18 to 59 years: association with exercise level, anthropometrics, and body...

Background: exercise impacts hand-grip strength (HGS) performance in adults. There is controversy regarding anthropometric and body composition indicators associated with HGS. We analyzed the association between HGS, anthropometry, and body composition parameters according to exercise level. Methods: we evaluated 209 participants, 104 men and 105 women between 18 and 59 y/o. Subjects were categorized according to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the American Physical Activity Guidelines into two groups: Non-Adequate Level of Exercise (NALE) and Adequate Level of Exercise (ALE). Physical activity level was determined using the FAO/WHO factorial method. Body composition was performed using electrical bioimpedance. HGS was measured with a digital dynamometer (BTE™). Results: age did not correlate with HGS. Men and women in the ALE group had a lower level of fat mass index (p < 0.05) and higher levels of skeletal muscle index (SMI) (p < 0.05) and HGS (p = 0.008). Men in the normal SMI and overweight body mass index groups exhibited higher handgrip strength (HGS). In both sexes, the taller group had higher HGS values (p = 0.03). Significant correlations were observed in men between HGS and height, exercise, fat-free mass, and SMI. In women, there were significant correlations between fat mass and height. In no case was the effect size strong. HGS estimation models by sex are presented. Conclusion: height, exercise, and muscle mass influenced hand-grip strength in men, while height and adiposity did so in women.