Premature Death Risk Decreased by Muscle Strength in Adolescence

Adolescents with the highest muscular strength, as measured by knee extension and handgrip strength tests, showed a 20% lower risk of premature all-cause mortality, according to a Swedish study.

Those with the highest scores also showed a 35% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease death, and 20%-30% lower risk of suicide, according to Finn Rasmussen, PhD, of the Karolinska Instituetet in Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues.

All-cause mortality rates per 100,000 person-years were 86.9 for those adolescents with the greatest muscular strength, and 98.9 and 122.3 for those with low and very low muscular strength, respectively. 

Using the data from 1,142,599 16- to 19-year-old males taken from the Swedish military conscription register, researchers measured performance in knee extension, handgrip, and elbow flexion strength, as well as blood pressure, height, and weight.   Median follow-up was 24.2 years.

Of the 22,883 deaths recorded during the time period, 5.5% were caused by coronary heart disease, 2.3% by stroke, 14.9% by cancer, 22.3% by suicide, and 25.9% by accidents. 

In those with low body mass index and low blood pressure, as well as high muscle strength, cardiovascular mortality was reduced significantly.  Risk of suicide was also significantly reduced in those with high muscle strength. 

"Although this study cannot disentangle causal pathways, physical training from childhood and adolescence seems to be needed," they concluded.   "[Those with increased mortality risk] should be encouraged to engage in exercise programs and other forms of physical activity."

-Michael Potts