Positive association between physical activity and spirometry has been reported to be possibly attributed to handgrip strength (HGS), particularly in the elderly. However, the nature of the association between HGS and lung function in young adults is still unclear. This study investigated the prediction of lung function using HGS in young adults. A cross‐sectional analytical study was carried out on four hundred (400) apparently healthy medical students who are aged 16–30 years. Handgrip strength (dominant and nondominant) and lung function (FEV 1, FVC and PEFR) of these students were assessed using Jamar dynamometer and a portable spirometer, respectively. Data were analyzed using inferential statistics. Independent t‐test showed that the mean values of HGS and lung function of the males were significantly higher than the females (P < 0.0005). The relationship between HGS and lung function indices was significant (P < 0.0005) in all the participants but strongest for FEV 1 (r = 0.64). The regression analysis showed that in addition to gender and height, HGS was a significant (P < 0.0005) predictor of lung function. Regression equations were also proposed for the prediction of these lung function indices using HGS, gender and height. This study is the first to report HGS as a significant predictor of pulmonary function in healthy young adults living in a low‐resource country. Hence, its use could enhance medical practice in being an indicator of lung function status in healthy young adults.

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a functional test that has been directly associated with lung function in some healthy populations, however, inconsistent findings have been reported for populations with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between HGS and lung function in both healthy and unhealthy adults.Method: A systematic search was conducted using six databases from their earliest inception to February 29th, 2020. Two authors reviewed and assessed methodological quality of eligible studies using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT).Results: Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria with 8 and 17 studies examining healthy and unhealthy populations, respectively. Reported average methodological quality of all included studies using the CCAT was 38-85% with most rated as Good to Excellent.Despite the use of heterogeneous equipment and protocols during HGS and lung function assessments, significant positive and moderate correlations and/or regression coefficients were reported for healthy populations consistently. Conversely, the reported relationships between HGS and lung function for unhealthy counterparts were variable. Conclusion:Handgrip strength was significantly associated with lung function in most healthy adults. Future robust studies are needed to confirm the suitability of HGS to assess lung function for healthy and unhealthy adults.

Background Handgrip strength (HGS), lung function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are relevant indicators of future cardiovascular risk and mortality. The impact of cardiac surgery on these predictive variables has been under-explored. The aim of this study was to determine the acute (within hospital) changes in HGS, lung function and HRQoL, and their relationships, in adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Further, the study examined the relationship between these variables and the predictors for lung function and HRQoL in these patients. Methods The study was a prospective cohort study that involved 101 patients who completed pre-operative (1–2 days before surgery) and physiotherapy discharge (5–7 days after surgery) assessments. Handgrip strength, lung function and HRQoL were assessed using JAMAR dynamometers, Vitalograph-Alpha or EasyOne spirometer, and Short-Form 36 questionnaire, respectively. Changes in these variables and their relationships were analysed using paired t-test and Pearson correlation coefficients, respectively. Prediction of lung function and HRQoL using HGS and other co-variates was conducted using regression analysis. Results At the time of physiotherapy discharge, lung function, HGS and the physical component of HRQoL were significantly (<0.001) reduced compared to their pre-operative values. Significant (<0.001) and moderate correlations were identified between HGS and lung function at pre-operation and physiotherapy discharge. Handgrip strength was a significant predictor of lung function pre-operatively but not at physiotherapy discharge. Pre-operative lung function and HRQoL, as well as other variables, were significant predictors of lung function and HRQoL during physiotherapy discharge. Conclusions Undergoing cardiac surgery acutely and significantly reduced lung function, HGS and physical component of HRQoL in adults with cardiac disease. Assessment of HGS at physiotherapy discharge may be a poor indicator of operative changes in lung function and HRQoL. Clinicians may consider HGS as an inadequate tool in predicting lung function and HRQoL following cardiac surgery.

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between estimated oxygen consumption (VO2max) and handgrip strength (HGS) among healthy young Nigerian adults. Methods: This was a cross sectional study, which involved 400 volunteers (171 males; 229 females) aged between 18–40years. Participants’ HGS was assessed using a CAMRY EH-101 hand dynamometer while VO2max was estimated using a standard formula that includes measurement of resting heart rate. Demographic data was summarized using percentages, mean and standard deviation. Physical activity level of the participants was assessed using long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Independent t-test was used to compare the mean values of the variables between male and female participants. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the strength of relationship between estimated VO2max and HGS, while multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of estimated VO2max using HGS as well as body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA) level, age and sex as co‐variates. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: HGS, VO2max and PA level were significantly (p= 0.001) different between male and female participants. There was a significant moderate correlation between HGS and VO2max (r= 0.40, p= 0.001). The results of the regression analysis showed that HGS is not significant predictor of estimated VO2max; whereas, sex, BMI and PA level were significant predictors of estimated VO2max. Conclusion: Although HGS is moderately correlated with estimated VO2max, HGS may not be a relevant tool for predicting estimated VO2max in healthy young adults.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the inter-instrument reliability of different dynamometers and spirometers commonly used in clinical practice. Methods: The study involved 113 healthy volunteers across three facility sites. At each site, dominant handgrip strength (DHGS), and lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC] and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR]), were compared using a local and reference device. Assessments were randomized with five minutes rest between measurements. Significant differences between devices were assessed using paired t-test while relative reliability between devices was determined via intra-class correlations (ICC). Accuracy index and variability between measurements were assessed using the technical error of measurement (TEM%) and coefficient of variation (CV), respectively. Agreement between devices was determined using the Bland Altman’s plot with limits of agreement (LOA). Results: The local devices recorded significantly (p1 (3.1%-8.4%), FVC (3.1%-13%) compared to the reference devices. Good-excellent correlations (ICC=0.89-0.96), unacceptable CV (5.8-9.9%) and TEM% (6.6-9.9%), and large mean biases (3-9kg) and LOA (3-23kg) were identified between the local and reference dynamometers. Excellent correlations (ICC=0.91-0.99), and mostly unacceptable CV and TEM% were identified between the local and reference spirometers for FVC and PEFR. Compared to the reference device, all local spirometers showed unacceptable (-0.134 to -0.536 liters) and acceptable (-0.12 to 0.05 liters/second) mean biases for FVC and PEFR, respectively. Conclusion: Unacceptable inter-instrument reliability was identified between local and reference dynamometers and spirometers for measuring DHGS and all lung function indices, respectively. Across clinical settings, comparing DHGS and lung function between different brands of devices may lead to the reporting of erroneous results with corrective adjustments required for clinical practice.