Grip strength and lower limb extension power in 19–72-year-old Danish men and women: the Health2006 study

Abstract

Aim

To assess muscular fitness by hand grip strength (HGS) and lower limb extension power (LEP) and to explore associations with age, leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and body composition.

Study population

A population-based sample of 19–72-year-old men and women were invited to participate in the health survey 'Health2006'. The response rate was 43.8% (N=3471), 55% were women, and the mean age was 49±13 years.

Methods

Height, weight, waist circumference, HGS and LEP were measured and participants answered a self-administered questionnaire. LEP was measured in a subsample of subjects (n=438). Gender-stratified multiple linear regression analyses were carried out. Data were adjusted for age, height and waist circumference.

Results

A large inter-individual variation was found in HGS and LEP. Both measures declined with age and were highly correlated (r=0.75, p<0.0001). LTPA was positively associated with HGS in men (p=0.0002) and women (p<0.0001) in the total sample, but in the subsample was significant in men only (p=0.004); the association between LTPA and LEP was significant in women only (p=0.02).

Conclusion

In this large population-based study sample, muscular fitness declined with age and LTPA was associated with HGS in both genders. The findings emphasise the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle at any age.

Article summary

Article focus

• The present study describes muscular fitness by means of hand grip strength (HGS) and lower limb extension power (LEP) in a large population-based sample of 19–72-year-old men and women.

• The study explores the associations of HGS and LEP, respectively, with age, leisure time physical activity level and body composition.

Key messages

• HGS is often measured in large study samples; the present study demonstrates that LEP can also be measured in large population-based study samples.

• HGS and LEP declined with age as expected.

• Leisure time physical activity level was associated with HGS in both genders, but with LEP in women only.

Strengths and limitations of this study

• Strengths of the study include the large population-based study sample of adult men and women and the standardised measurement of muscle strength and power.

• Major limitations are the relatively low response rate that may affect the generalisability of results and the fact that LEP was only measured in a subsample of participants.