Body Fat, Muscle Strength, and a New Way to Measure Both

This study, published in the BMC Sports Science and Medicine Rehabilitation, investigated the relationship between body composition and muscle strength in Chinese university students. It found that a new body fat measurement, ABSI, was more accurate than traditional methods like BMI. They also created a new muscle strength index, MSI. Analyzing over 12,000 students, they discovered an inverted U-shaped relationship between ABSI and MSI, meaning both very low and high body fat levels were linked to lower muscle strength. This effect was more pronounced in females. The study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy body composition for optimal muscle strength in young adults.

Key Findings

• The rise of static lifestyles and screen time among adolescents is leading to a global increase in overweight and obesity, posing a public health concern.

• While studies show a leveling off of the BMI increase trend in developed countries, it's still rising in developing nations like China, with a significant rise in obesity rates among adolescents.

• Existing studies mainly use BMI, or waist circumference (WC), to measure body fatness, but they lack comprehensiveness. This research introduces ABSI, a composite indicator reflecting the proportional relationship between WC and BMI, as a more accurate measure.

• Muscle strength in adolescents is also declining globally due to reduced opportunities for resistance exercise. This decline is observed in China as well, with studies showing a significant decrease in muscle strength among Chinese adolescents.

Obesity and inadequate muscle strength are significant public health concerns globally, particularly among university students. Understanding the relationship between body shape and muscle strength in this population is crucial for developing effective interventions to promote overall health and well-being. This blog post aims to explore the intricate interplay between body shape, as measured by the Body Shape Index (ABSI), and muscle strength in university students, drawing upon recent research findings and scientific literature.

Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Muscle Strength:

ABSI, a comprehensive index for evaluating body obesity, has emerged as a valuable tool for assessing body shape beyond traditional metrics like the Body Mass Index (BMI). Recent studies have highlighted the importance of ABSI in predicting various health outcomes, including cardiovascular risk and mortality. However, its relationship with muscle strength, a key component of physical fitness, remains relatively understudied, particularly in the context of university students.

Muscle strength plays a pivotal role in maintaining functional independence, preventing injuries, and enhancing overall quality of life. Therefore, understanding factors influencing muscle strength, including body shape, is essential for designing targeted interventions to improve physical fitness among university students.

Exploring the relationship:

Recent research conducted among Chinese university students sheds light on the relationship between ABSI and muscle strength. The study revealed that ABSI values were higher in male students compared to females, consistent with previous findings. This disparity may be attributed to differences in waist circumference and lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise habits.

Furthermore, the study identified an inverted "U" curve relationship between ABSI and muscle strength, indicating that both low and high ABSI levels were associated with decreased muscle strength. This finding underscores the complex interaction between body shape and muscle strength, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions to address both obesity and muscle weakness among university students.

Methods:

• The study recruited participants from April to July 2022.

• 12,046 university students aged 19–22 (49.90% boys) participated.

• Basic information, height, weight, waist circumference, and various physical fitness tests (grip strength, pull-up/sit-up, long jump) were measured.

• ABSI and MSI were calculated based on the collected data.

• ABSI was categorized into five groups based on age, sex, and percentile (A-E).

• The association between ABSI and MSI was analyzed using effect size and curve estimation.

Results:

• The analysis revealed an inverted "U"-shaped relationship between ABSI and MSI.

• Students with both low and high ABSI values had lower MSI compared to those with moderate ABSI values.

• The negative impact of increasing ABSI on MSI was more pronounced in girls than boys.

• Overall, university students with ABSI values between 0.050 and 0.100 had the highest MSI.

• At an ABSI of 0.150, boys had an MSI of -1.229, while girls had an MSI of -2.779.

This study found that the ABSI of Chinese university students exhibited an inverted "U"-shaped relationship with MSI, indicating that both low and high body fat levels are detrimental to muscle strength. Additionally, the negative impact of increasing body fat on muscle strength was more pronounced in girls. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy body composition for optimal muscle strength in university students.

Several mechanisms may explain the observed relationship between ABSI and muscle strength. Firstly, a higher waist circumference, a component of ABSI, may reflect excessive visceral fat deposition, which can impair muscle function and reduce strength. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and poor dietary habits associated with obesity may further exacerbate muscle weakness.

Conversely, individuals with low ABSI values may also experience reduced muscle strength due to factors such as malnutrition or chronic illness. Therefore, achieving an optimal body shape within a healthy range is essential for maintaining adequate muscle strength and overall physical fitness.

Gender Differences:

Gender differences in the relationship between ABSI and muscle strength were also observed in the study. The inverted "U" curve for females was steeper compared to males, indicating that changes in body shape may have a more pronounced effect on muscle strength in women. This finding underscores the importance of gender-specific interventions to address obesity and promote muscle strength among university students.

Implications for Intervention:

The findings of this study have important implications for designing targeted interventions to improve physical fitness among university students. Health education programs should focus on promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours, including regular exercise and balanced nutrition, to maintain optimal body shape and muscle strength.

Furthermore, interventions aimed at reducing obesity should incorporate strategies to preserve or enhance muscle mass and strength, particularly among at-risk populations such as female students. Strength training exercises, combined with cardiovascular activities, can help improve muscle strength and overall physical fitness while reducing body fat.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, understanding the relationship between body shape and muscle strength is essential for promoting optimal health and well-being among university students. Recent research highlights the complex interplay between ABSI, a measure of body shape, and muscle strength, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions to address obesity and muscle weakness.

Journal Reference

Pi, Q., Xu, J., Sha, M. et al. Relationship between a body shape index and muscle strength index in Chinese university students: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 16, 48 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00837-1

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