Associação da força de preensão manual com o risco cardiovascular em estudantes da Universidade Federal de Alagoas

Abstract

Cardiovascular risk factors are conditions or issues that increase an individual's likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases or cardiac outcomes, and they are categorized into two groups: modifiable and non-modifiable. Handgrip strength (HGS) is a modifiable condition that has been demonstrated as a risk factor when it is insufficient (low). University students may exhibit insufficient levels of strength due to factors such as low physical activity, academic routines, and long study hours. The objective of this study was to assess HGS levels and their association with cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, BMI, and self-reported diseases) while considering potential confounding variables, including gender, age, physical activity level, smoking, alcohol consumption, and medical history, among students at the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL). This study is an observational, cross-sectional study, with descriptive characteristics, a quantitative approach and an applied nature. It constitutes a segment of the larger research project titled "Diagnosis of the Health of the University Community at UFAL: Analysis of Lifestyle, Mental Health, Cardiovascular Risk, and Physical Fitness." Data collection involved questionnaires administered as interviews and physical and motor tests (dynamometry). Variables were categorized, and HGS was classified according to ACSM criteria as "sufficient" (good, very good, and excellent) or "insufficient" (fair and poor). The chi-square test was used to test the association between HGS and risk and confounding factors. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using binary logistic regression (p < 0.05). This study assessed 355 students, consisting of 174 females and 181 males, with an average age of 25 years. It revealed a prevalence of insufficient HGS in 55% of university students and a significant association between BMI and HGS, where 71.7% of individuals classified as overweight displayed insufficient strength. Additionally, it was observed that individuals with low handgrip strength were three times more likely (OR = 2.949; CI = 1.839 – 4.730) to be overweight compared to those with sufficient strength. Other variables did not demonstrate significant associations (p > 0.05). This study identified an inverse relationship between HGS and BMI, with individuals exposed to insufficient strength exhibiting higher BMI, suggesting a connection between morphology and physical function in university students.