Health studies link grip strength and body composition to mortality and lung function

Recent studies have highlighted the health implications of combining low muscle strength with specific body composition metrics.

A study involving 5,674 American adults found that individuals with both increased abdominal thickness and low relative grip strength—a condition referred to as ‘dynapenic obesity’—faced a mortality risk approximately 1.97 times higher than those without these traits. While low grip strength alone was associated with a 1.60 times higher risk, abdominal thickness on its own did not show a clear link to mortality.

In a separate study of 8,784 middle-aged and older Chinese adults, researchers identified a link between body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength, and respiratory function. The findings indicated that low BMI and reduced handgrip strength were independently associated with lower peak expiratory flow (PEF). While handgrip strength partially mediated the relationship between BMI and PEF, researchers noted the effect was small and suggested that muscle-strengthening interventions should not be recommended based on this association alone.