The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between strength and
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in young women. Carotid
intima-media thickness (IMT) and extra-media thickness (EMT) were used as
measures of subclinical atherosclerosis and CVD risk. Muscular strength, IMT,
and EMT were measured in 70 young women (mean age=21±4 years).
Strength was determined using a handgrip dynamometer and expressed relative to
body mass. IMT and EMT were measured using ultrasonography of the left common
carotid artery. Objectively measured moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)
was assessed with accelerometry. Higher relative handgrip strength was
associated with lower IMT (r=−0.23; p<0.05) and lower
EMT (r=−0.27; p<0.05). Associations between relative
handgrip strength and IMT (r=−0.24) as well as EMT
(r=−0.25) remained significant after adjusting for potential
confounders including traditional CVD risk factors and MVPA (p<0.05).
These results show that there is an inverse association between handgrip
strength with carotid IMT and EMT in young women. Muscular strength may reduce
CVD risk in young women via favorable effects on subclinical carotid
atherosclerosis independent of physical activity.
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