Relationship between hand grip strength and lung function among older adults in Korea: Secondary analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Purpose South Korea is rapidly aging, with older adult care costs soaring and lung diseases prevalent among the older adults. The correlation between hand grip strength (HGS) and lung function is contested, demanding further research to assess its viability as a predictor of lung health in this growing demographic. In this study, we explored the relationship between HGS and lung function. Methods In this cross-sectional study, of 32,379 participants, we selected 3,362 aged 65 years or older, after exclusions. We assessed lung function through forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) measurements, and gauged HGS using a digital dynamometer. The analysis accounted for various covariates including medical history, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic status, using complex sample analysis in SPSS. Results Analysis of 3,362 participants revealed that, after adjusting for relevant covariates, HGS retained a statistically significant correlation with FVC and FEV1, with regression coefficients of 0.03 and 0.02, respectively. These findings indicate that HGS may serve as a reliable indicator of respiratory health in an aging population. Conclusion Findings showed HGS independently aligned with FVC and FEV1, requiring a significant post-adjustment for confounders. Consistent with prior studies, results suggest HGS could indicate respiratory health in older adults. Despite divergent outcomes from earlier research, a persistent link between HGS and lung function underscores its value in geriatric screenings for early lung-decline detection.