Muscle strength and physical activity are associated with self-rated health in an adult Danish population

Objective

To describe associations of muscle strength, physical activity and self-rated health.

Method

Isometric muscle strength by maximal handgrip strength (HGS) or muscle strength by 30 s repeated chair stand test (30 s-CS) was combined with leisure time physical activity. Using logistic regression odds ratio was calculated for good self-rated health according to the combined associations among 16,539 participants (59.7% women), mean age 51.9 (SD: 13.8) years, from a cross-sectional study in Denmark 2007–2008.

Results

Good self-rated health was positively associated with higher levels of physical activity and greater muscle strength. Regarding HGS the highest OR for good self-rated health was in the moderate/vigorous physically active participants with high HGS (OR = 6.84, 95% CI: 4.85–9.65 and OR = 7.34, 95% CI: 5.42–9.96 for men and women, respectively). Similarly the highest OR for good self-rated health was in the moderate/vigorous physically active participants with high scores in the 30 s-CS test (6.06, 95% CI: 4.32–8.50 and 13.38, 95% CI: 9.59–18.67 for men and women, respectively). The reference groups were sedentary participants with low strength (HGS or 30 s-CS).

Conclusion

The combined score for physical activity level with either HGS or 30 s-CS was strongly positively associated with self-related health.