Comparison of muscle strength between Brazilian women with and without metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by the combination of several cardiovascular risk factors such as: abdominal obesity, arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance/type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Some studies have shown that low levels of muscle strength are strongly associated with the prevalence of MS; however, no studies have examined muscle strength in Brazilian women with MS. Objective: To compare the muscle strength between Brazilian women with and without MS. Methods: We evaluated 17 (37.2±8.2 years) Brazilian women with MS and 21 (33.2±7.6 years) Brazilian women without the MS. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III, and the muscle strength was measured by the handgrip test. Results: The muscle strength normalized per body weight was significantly lower in subjects with MS (p=0.005). Conclusion: Women with MS present relative muscle strength values lower than healthy women.