title: Muscle strength and physical activity are associated with self-rated health in an adult Danish population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe associations of muscle strength, physical activity and self-rated health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isometric muscle strength by maximal handgrip strength (HGS) or muscle strength by 30s repeated chair stand test (30s-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 30s-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 30s-CS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined score for physical activity level with either HGS or 30s-CS was strongly positively associated with self-related health.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. Electronic address: andreaswhansen@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Andreas W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: Trine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Flensborg-Madsen
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grønbæk
authors.forename: Jørn W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Helge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D053580:Muscle Strength; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: (30s-CS); (BMI); (HGS); (OR); (PA); 30seconds repeated chair stands; Muscle strength; Physical activity; Physical performance; Primary prevention; body mass index; handgrip strength; odds ratio; physical activity