Authors

1. Kim, Woohyeun MD
2. Park, Se-Hyun PhD
3. Kim, Woo-Sub MD, PhD
4. Jang, Won Young MD
5. Park, Eun Jin MD
6. Kang, Dong Oh MD
7. Park, Yoonjee MD
8. Na, Jin Oh MD, PhD
9. Kim, Jin Won MD, PhD
10. Kim, Eung Ju MD, PhD
11. Rha, Seung-Woon MD, PhD
12. Park, Chang Gyu MD, PhD
13. Seo, Hong Seog MD, PhD
14. Choi, Cheol Ung MD, PhD

Abstract

Purpose: A recent study has shown that quadriceps strength can be used to predict the level of exercise capacity in patients with coronary heart disease. We investigated whether the relationship between muscular strength and exercise capacity is also observed with handgrip strength (HGS).

Methods: We studied 443 participants (61.8 +/- 11.2 yr; 78% male) who underwent coronary intervention and participated in cardiac rehabilitation between 2015 and 2018. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between various clinical measures (HGS, age, sex, etc) with the distance walked on a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and maximal oxygen uptake (

O_2max).

Results: Handgrip strength was related to distance walked on the 6MWT (r = 0.435, P < .001). It was the only predictor of all exercise capacity categories, and one of the strongest predictors of each exercise capacity category. An HGS of 26% of body weight predicted an achievement of a 200-m walk on the 6MWT (positive predictive value = 0.95). However, HGS <36% of body weight predicted that 500 m could not be done in 6 min (negative predictive value = 0.97). This trend was also observed in the subgroups in which

O_2max was measured.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that HGS is associated with exercise capacity in coronary heart disease and can be used to predict the level of exercise capacity. These findings may contribute to setting the recommended level of daily activity as well as the level of cardiac rehabilitation in coronary heart disease.