Better pulmonary function is associated with greater handgrip strength in a healthy Chinese Han population

Abstract

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) has been widely studied in clinical and epidemiological settings, but the relationship between HGS and pulmonary function is still controversial. This study analysed pulmonary function and HGS stratified by sex and age in a healthy Chinese Han population, as well as the associations between HGS and pulmonary function parameters. Methods: HGS was measured by a Jamar dynamometer and pulmonary function was tested using a portable spirometer. Frequencies and variables are presented as percentages and means ± standard deviations, respectively. Chi-square tests were used for comparisons of categorical variables, and Student's t-tests or Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for continuous variables. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to analyse the normally distributed variables, and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyse the non-normally distributed variables. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to explore the relationships between HGS and parameters of pulmonary function. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.01. Results: Cross-sectional data were available for 1519 subjects (59.0% females, 57.9 ± 13.3 years old). Males had higher average HGS than females (40.2 vs. 25.0 kg, p < 0.01), as well as better pulmonary function. Both HGS and pulmonary function parameters were significantly inversely correlated with age (r ≤ − 0.30, p < 0.01). The maximum value of vital capacity (VC max), forced expiratory volume in 3 s (FEV 3) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were strongly correlated with HGS among the pulmonary function indices (r = 0.72, 0.70 and 0.69, respectively, p < 0.001). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, HGS and height were positively correlated, while age and pulse pressure were negatively correlated with HGS. In males, the FVC, VC max and FEV3 increased by 0.02 L, 0.023 L and 0.03 L in per 1 kg increase in HGS, respectively. The HGS coefficients for females were smaller than those for males. Conclusions: Both pulmonary function and HGS were inversely correlated with age, and better pulmonary function was associated with greater handgrip strength.

Grip strength as a predictor of disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

“…9 Similarly, grip strength was also found to be related with the respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function tests. 10,11 To this end, together with the other potential risk factors, we aimed to investigate the possible relationship between handgrip strength and disease severity in adult patients with COVID-19.…”

Serum Creatinine to Cystatin C Ratio is an Effective Indicator for Muscle Strength Decline in Men with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Muscle strength is an important factor that affects lung function; there is a good correlation between HGS and respiratory muscle strength. 39 , 40 Because the Cr/CysC ratio is a useful index for evaluating muscle strength, it can be used to evaluate respiratory muscle conditions that severely restrict airflow and affect the risks of acute exacerbation, hospitalization, and death in COPD patients. 41–43 In this regard, the Cr/CysC ratio may be an important prognostic indicator.…”

Measuring grip strength in COVID-19: A simple way to predict overall frailty/impairment

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