Is grip strength linked to body composition and cardiovascular risk markers in primary schoolchildren? Cross-sectional data from three African countries

Abstract

ObjectivesMuscular strength represents a specific component of health-related fitness. Hand grip strength (HGS) is used as an indicator for musculoskeletal fitness in children. HGS can also be used as a marker of cardiometabolic risk, but most available HGS data are derived from Western high-income countries. Therefore, this study examines whether HGS is associated with body composition and markers of cardiovascular risk in children from three sub-Saharan African countries.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingPublic primary schools (grade 1–4) in Taabo (Côte d’Ivoire), Gqeberha (South Africa) and Ifakara (Tanzania).ParticipantsData from 467 children from Côte d’Ivoire (210 boys, 257 girls), 864 children from South Africa (429 boys, 435 girls) and 695 children from Tanzania (334 boys, 361 girls) were analysed.Primary and secondary outcome measuresBody composition (assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis) was the primary outcome. Cardiovascular risk markers were considered as secondary outcome. Blood pressure was measured with an oscillometric monitor, and blood markers (cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated haemoglobin) via Afinion point-of-care testing. HGS (independent variable) was assessed with a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Inferential statistics are based on mixed linear regressions and analyses of covariance.ResultsAcross all study sites, higher HGS was associated with lower body fat, higher muscle mass and higher fat-free mass (p<0.001, 3.9%–10.0% explained variance), both in boys and girls. No consistent association was found between HGS and cardiovascular risk markers.ConclusionsHGS assessment is popular due to its simplicity, feasibility, practical utility and high reliability of measurements. This is one of the first HGS studies with children from sub-Saharan Africa. There is a great need for further studies to examine whether our findings can be replicated, to develop reference values for African children, to establish links to other health outcomes, and to explore whether HGS is associated with later development of cardiovascular risk markers.Trial registration numberISRCTN29534081.

The Mediating Role of the Muscle Quality Index in the Relation of Screen Time and Abdominal Obesity with Health-Related Quality of Life in Chilean Schoolchildren

“…Another study that measured the relationship between adiposity and muscular strength in Chilean students showed that participants with a risk of abdominal obesity had increased risk of poor relative HGS (i.e., the MQI) [ 60 ]. Likewise, another study showed that HGS is related to lower body fat in schoolchildren [ 61 ]. Improvements in HGS could also promote better HRQoL.…”

Fuerza prensil y composición corporal en escolares colombianos. Estudio piloto

“…Nuestros resultados son consistentes con evidencias previas que identifican a la fuerza prensil como un indicador de la composición corporal, específicamente en las variables de masa musculoesquelética y proteínas 23, 24 . Aunque la fuerza prensil evalúa directamente la fuerza máxima de la mano, es un predictor adecuado de la fuerza muscular total en niños, adolescentes, adultos y personas mayores 25 .…”

“…En concordancia con este supuesto teórico, estudios en países europeos han indicado la evaluación de la fuerza prensil como herramienta de tamizaje en las escuelas, sin embargo, en países de ingresos socioeconómicos medianos y bajos hay pocas evidencias que evalúen la fuerza prensil y su relación con la composición corporal 27 . Recientemente, un estudio multicéntrico desarrollado en países africanos encontró una asociación positiva entre la fuerza de presión y la masa muscular (β = 7,68 IC 95 %: 5,0-10,4), incluso después de controlar por variables de confusión biológicas y del entorno, indicando así una posible relación causal 24 .…”

“…Para nuestro conocimiento, este es el primer trabajo de investigación publicado en la literatura científica que, en el contexto colombiano, describe la relación entre la fuerza prensil y la composición corporal en escolares, donde se evidencian correlaciones positivas de fuerza moderada y estadísticamente significativas en la población de estudio, resultado similar a las evidencias que han empleado metodologías de estudio similares 11, 24 . Uno de los aspectos por destacar de este piloto es el uso de metodologías robustas de medición caracterizadas por instrumentos de medición con propiedades psicométricas que clasifican adecuadamente las variables de estudios, permitiendo explorar de forma adecuada su relación 28,29 , que demuestran de esta forma la validez interna del estudio.…”

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, Weight Status, and Body Composition among South African Primary Schoolchildren

“…All schools (quintile 3 schools) were located in peri-urban, marginalized communities. Results from this study have been published previously [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. However, the objectives articulated above have yet to be examined, and hence, the findings presented in the current publication are original.…”