Handgrip Strength Is Associated with Insulin Resistance and Glucose Metabolism in Adolescents: Evidence from NHANES 2011–2014

Abstract

Background

Previous studies have reported that handgrip strength, a measure of muscular fitness, is associated with insulin resistance in children and adolescents, with conflicting results. Further, no studies have examined the association between handgrip strength with 2-hour glucose levels.

Objective

We tested the association of handgrip strength with measures of insulin resistance (fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)) and glucose metabolism (fasting and 2-hour glucose levels) in adolescents from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014.

Methods

The study included 959 participants aged 12–19 years who underwent a handgrip test and a glucose tolerance test. General linear models were used to examine the associations between handgrip strength and the outcome variables.

Results

After adjustment for age, race, sex, body mass index, and physical activities, handgrip strength was inversely associated with fasting insulin levels (P=0.017) and HOMA-IR (P=0.025). Although there was no association between handgrip strength and fasting glucose levels (P=0.77), handgrip strength was inversely associated with 2-hour glucose levels (P<0.0001). Insulin and 2-hour glucose levels decreased linearly as handgrip strength increased from the bottom quartile to the top quartile (P for trend: 0.045 for fasting insulin levels and 0.004 for 2-hour glucose levels).

Conclusions

Muscular fitness, measured by handgrip strength, is associated with insulin resistance and glucose metabolism in adolescents, which indicates that increasing muscular fitness may have beneficial effects for early prevention of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.