Handgrip strength cut-points for cardiometabolic risk identification in U.S. younger population

Identification of cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in U.S. younger population by assessing muscular strength via handgrip (HG) dynamometry may aid in prevention efforts. Currently, no nationally representative HG cut-points are available for identifying increased CMR in U.S. adolescents or young adults. In this study we propose normalized grip strength (NGS) cut-points for U.S. younger population CMR identification. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 data sets were used for analysis. A total of 1,033 participants (female [F], n=498; male [M], n=535) aged 12-24 years without current infection were included in analyses. The identified age- and sex-specific NGS cut-points are: M= 0.39 and F=0.34 (age=12-17 years), M= 0.45 and F=0.34 (age=18-24 years). These cut-points may be used in U.S. public health screening routines such as school- or community-based health-related fitness surveillance programs. Future work should use these cut-points in various samples to test their predictive utility for increased CMR.