Relationship between muscle strength and anthropometric, body composition parameters in Japanese adolescents

Abstract

We investigated the link between muscle strength and anthropometric, body composition parameters in Japanese adolescents. Forty eight men and 189 women, aged 15 - 19 years, were enrolled in this cross-sectional investigation study. Anthropometric and body composition parameters i.e. height, body weight, abdominal circumference, hip circumference and body fat percentage were measured. Muscle strength i.e. grip strength and leg strength were also evaluated. In men, grip strength was positively correlated with height and lean body mass. Leg strength was significantly correlated with height, body weight, hip circumference and lean body mass (r = 0.708). However, leg strength per body weight was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference, hip circumference, body fat percentage (r = –0.719) and body fat mass. In women, grip strength was positively correlated with height. Leg strength was positively correlated with lean body mass (r = 0.482). Leg strength per body weight was negatively correlated with body fat percentage (r = –0.457) and body fat mass. Grip and leg strength was positively correlated with height and lean body mass, especially in men. However, leg strength per body weight was closely linked to body fat percentage in both sexes.