Predictors of Hand Grip Strength in Adults Without Sarcopenia: Data From the NHANES, 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: Grip strength measurement is used to estimate muscle strength and predict health status; yet, an accurate examination of grip strength predictors from body composition variable is lacking.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association of grip strength with lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and total lean mass in adults without sarcopenia.

METHODS: Adults without sarcopenia ( N = 3100) were included from the NHANES, 2013-2014, in this cross-sectional study. Body mass (kg), body height (cm), body mass index (kg/m2 ), grip strength (kg), total percent fat (%), lumbar BMD (g/cm2 ), and total lean mass excluding bone mineral content (BMC, kg) were obtained and tested as predictors of grip strength.

RESULTS: The regression analysis yielded a significant model [ F (2,343732) = 71,284.2; R 2 = 0.713; P < 0.001], with all predictors explaining ∼71.3% of the variance in grip strength. Age [β: -0.043; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.040, -0.036], sex (β: -0.296; 95% CI: -6.431, -6.270), total percent fat (β: -0.245; 95% CI: -0.315, -0.308), lumbar BMD (β: 0.037; 95% CI: 2.529, 2.806), and total lean mass (β: 0.482; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.001) were all significant predictors of grip strength.

CONCLUSIONS: The predictive value of the BMD and total lean mass can serve as a useful measure in predicting grip strength and overall health status in adults without sarcopenia.