Handgrip strength is related to bone mineral density in male athletes

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between handgrip strength and phalangeal bone mineral density (BMD) and to evaluate the confounding factors in highly trained male athletes. Material and Methods: A total of 57 highly trained athletes; with a mean age of 23.5±4.1 (17-37) years were included in the study. Age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, medications, previous fractures, calcium intake, the duration of sports participation, weekly training time, height and weight of the subjects were recorded. Handgrip strength was measured by a hand-held dynamometer and BMD was measured with radiographic absorbtiometry in both hands. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between BMD and handgrip strength, age, weight and height (p<0.01). When stepwise regression analysis was performed, two variables were found to be significantly related to BMD: handgrip strength and weight. R2 value was 0.29 (F=8.71, p=0.001). To eliminate the effect of body weight on BMD we compared BMD and grip strength in the dominant and non-dominant hands. Bone mineral density, t-scores and the handgrip strength were significantly higher in the dominant hand (p<0.05). Conclusion: Handgrip strength is an independent predictor of phalangeal bone mineral density in highly trained male athletes.