Hand-grip Strength is Correlated with Aerobic Capacity in Healthy Sedentary Young Females

Abstract

Aerobic capacity, which is the maximum limit of the rate of oxygen consumption, is an important parameter in determining health-related physical fitness. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between grip strength and aerobic capacity in healthy sedentary young females. Forty healthy, young, and sedentary females participated in the study (20.5±1.5 years). Body composition was assessed with the bioelectrical impedance method. The hand-grip strength of the individuals was measured with a hand-grip dynamometer. An indirect graded arm crank ergometer test was used to determine the peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak). It was found that the grip strength was correlated with height (r=0.51, p=0.001), fat-free mass (r=0.45, p=0.004), and VO2 peak (r=0.36, p=0.023); however, there was no correlation between grip strength and body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage (p>0.05). VO2 peak was negatively correlated with body fat percentage (r= -0.38, p=0.016) and body mass index (r= -0.30, p=0.045). The results showed that higher muscle strength and fat-free mass are related to higher aerobic capacity. It is considered that increasing muscle strength and fat-free mass as well as decreasing body fat may be an appropriate strategy to increase cardiorespiratory fitness.