title: Vitamin D status predicts hand-grip strength in young adult women living in Auckland, New Zealand.
abstract: The identification of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in skeletal muscle tissue and research in muscle strength and development in VDR-null mice confirms a role for vitamin D in muscle function. The relationship between muscle strength and vitamin D status has been explored to some degree in older populations with regard to fall prevention, but there has been very little research in younger adults. This cross-sectional study considered the predictors of muscle strength in 137 young women (19-29 years) living in New Zealand. The following measurements were taken in the latter months of winter: plasma 25OHD, dominant (HGD) and non-dominant hand-grip (HGND) strength (hand-grip dynamometer), counter measure jump, and recreational physical activity (RPA) assessed from a recent physical activity questionnaire (RPAQ). Dietary intake was measured with a four-day food diary, and body composition using air displacement plethysmography. This was a relatively inactive group of women; total RPA ranged from 0 to 3.93h per week, mean (SD) 0.86(0.74) h, approximately 50% comprised outdoor activities. Mean 25OHD was 54(28)nmol/l, HGD and HGND were significantly different (t=6.049, p<0.001) at 27.3(5.8) and 25.6(5.7)kg respectively. Total RPA and 25OHD were entered into a linear regression model with handgrip strength as the dependent variable (Model R(2)=0.11, p=0.001 non-dominant, R(2)=0.13, p<0.001 dominant). Serum 25OHD was significantly associated with HGD (B(SE)=0.05(0.02), p=0.016) and HGND (B(SE)=0.04(0.02), p=0.019), independent of recreational physical activity. Recreational activity had an association with both hand-grip strength and serum 25OHD, and when each were adjusted to remove this association, 25OHD accounted for 4.3% of HGND and 4.5% of HGD. These results suggest that vitamin D status does have a small but significant association with hand-grip strength in this group of young women. Further investigation in this age group with a randomised controlled trial is justified. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Vitamin D Workshop'.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Private Bag, 102 904 North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. p.r.vonhurst@massey.ac.nz
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: von Hurst
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conlon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foskett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009520:New Zealand; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D