Table of Contents

Component Description

The muscle strength/grip test component measured the isometric grip strength using a handgrip dynamometer. The goals of this component were to provide: 1) nationally representative data on muscle strength; 2) prevalence estimates of children and adults with poor muscle strength; and 3) data to study the association between muscle strength and other health conditions and risk factors, such as obesity, physical activity and dietary patterns.

Eligible Sample

Participants aged 6 years and older, who did not meet any of the exclusion criteria, were eligible for this component.

Participants were excluded from this component if they were unable to hold the dynamometer with both hands (e.g., missing both arms, both hands, thumbs on both hands, or paralyzed in both hands). Participants who were able to grip the dynamometer with one hand still performed the component. Participants who had surgery on either hand or wrist in the last three months were not tested on that particular hand.

Protocol and Procedure

In this component, muscle strength was measured through a grip test using a handgrip dynamometer. A trained examiner explained and demonstrated the protocol to the participant. The examiner then adjusted the grip size of the dynamometer to the participant’s hand size and asked the participant to squeeze the dynamometer for a practice trial. The practice trial was to determine if the procedure was understood by the participant and the grip size properly adjusted.

After the practice, the participant was asked to use one of the hands to squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible, exhaling while squeezing to avoid build-up of intra-thoracic pressure. The test was then repeated for the other hand. Each hand was tested three times, alternating hands between trials with a 60-second rest between measurements on the same hand.

The grip test was performed in the standing position unless the participant was physically limited. In 2013-2014, among those who were tested, less than 0.3% of the participants younger than 20 years old were tested in a seated position. Therefore, information on testing position was not released for participants younger than 20 years due to disclosure concerns. Researchers who are interested can access this information through the NCHS Research Data Center. Information on testing position for participants 20 years and older is included in the present dataset.

Prior conditions may affect a person’s grip strength; therefore, we collected data on whether the participant has ever had surgery on his/her hands or wrists for arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. In 2013-2014, no one younger than 20 that was tested for grip strength reported ever having hand/wrist surgery for arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Information on this prior surgery is released for participants 20 years and over.

The participant was randomly assigned to start the test with his/her dominant or non-dominant hand. A practice trial was usually performed with the opposite hand that was assigned to be tested first, unless the participant only had one hand that was eligible for the test.

Detailed descriptions of the protocol are provided in the NHANES Muscle Strength/Grip Test Procedure Manual available on the NHANES website.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Examiners were regularly monitored by NCHS staff and field supervisors. Retraining sessions were conducted periodically with the examiners to reinforce the proper protocols and techniques. Inspection, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment and supplies were performed on a regular basis.

As part of on-going quality control practices, all data were reviewed systematically for logical or operational inconsistencies and examiner errors.

Data Processing and Editing

During the data processing, edits were made to ensure the logical consistency and analytic usefulness of the data. Extreme values were reviewed and cross-checked with other available data.

Grip test status code (MGDEXSTS):
This derived variable indicates the following for each participant:

      1 = Completed test on both hands - the participant performed the test on both hands.

      2 = Completed test on only one hand - due to physical limitations, the participant only performed test on one of the hands.

      3 = Did not perform test - Grip test did not take place due to various reasons (such as no time, arrived late/left early, refusal, illness, emergency, or equipment failure).


Combined grip strength (MGDCGSZ):
The combined grip strength was calculated as the sum of the largest reading from each hand, and expressed in kilograms. This variable was not calculated for participants who only performed the test on one hand.

Analytic Notes

The NHANES examination sample weights should be used to analyze the muscle strength/grip test data. Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS

MGDEXSTS - Grip test status

Variable Name:
MGDEXSTS
SAS Label:
Grip test status
English Text:
Grip test status
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Completed test on both hands 7677 7677
2 Completed test on only one hand 130 7807
3 Did not perform test 484 8291
. Missing 0 8291

MGD050 - Ever had surgery on hands or wrists

Variable Name:
MGD050
SAS Label:
Ever had surgery on hands or wrists
English Text:
Have you ever had surgery on your hands or wrists for arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 192 192
2 No 5016 5208
7 Refused 0 5208
9 Don't know 3 5211
. Missing 3080 8291

MGD060 - Which hand or wrist had surgery

Variable Name:
MGD060
SAS Label:
Which hand or wrist had surgery
English Text:
Which hand or wrist was the surgery on?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Right hand/wrist 70 70
2 Left hand/wrist 42 112
3 Both hands/wrists 78 190
7 Refused 0 190
9 Don't know 2 192
. Missing 8099 8291

MGQ070 - Recent pain/aching/stiffness-right hand

Variable Name:
MGQ070
SAS Label:
Recent pain/aching/stiffness-right hand
English Text:
Have you had any pain, aching or stiffness in your right hand in the past 7 days?
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 941 941
2 No 6805 7746
7 Refused 0 7746
9 Don't know 5 7751
. Missing 540 8291

MGQ080 - Cause of recent pain in right hand

Variable Name:
MGQ080
SAS Label:
Cause of recent pain in right hand
English Text:
Is the pain, aching or stiffness in your right hand caused by arthritis, tendonitis, or carpal tunnel syndrome?
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 501 501
2 No 196 697
7 Refused 0 697
9 Don't know 244 941
. Missing 7350 8291

MGQ090 - Pain in right hand gotten worse recently

Variable Name:
MGQ090
SAS Label:
Pain in right hand gotten worse recently
English Text:
Has the pain, aching or stiffness in your right hand gotten worse in the past 7 days?
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 110 110
2 No 828 938
7 Refused 0 938
9 Don't know 3 941
. Missing 7350 8291

MGQ100 - Recent pain/aching/stiffness-left hand

Variable Name:
MGQ100
SAS Label:
Recent pain/aching/stiffness-left hand
English Text:
Have you had any pain, aching or stiffness in your left hand in the past 7 days?
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 755 755
2 No 6989 7744
7 Refused 2 7746
9 Don't know 6 7752
. Missing 539 8291

MGQ110 - Cause of recent pain in left hand

Variable Name:
MGQ110
SAS Label:
Cause of recent pain in left hand
English Text:
Is the pain, aching or stiffness in your left hand caused by arthritis, tendonitis, or carpal tunnel syndrome?
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 423 423
2 No 164 587
7 Refused 0 587
9 Don't know 168 755
. Missing 7536 8291

MGQ120 - Pain in left hand gotten worse recently

Variable Name:
MGQ120
SAS Label:
Pain in left hand gotten worse recently
English Text:
Has the pain, aching or stiffness in your left hand gotten worse in the past 7 days?
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 112 112
2 No 643 755
7 Refused 0 755
9 Don't know 0 755
. Missing 7536 8291

MGD130 - Dominant hand

Variable Name:
MGD130
SAS Label:
Dominant hand
English Text:
Are you right-handed, left-handed, or do you use both hands equally?
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Right-handed 6916 6916
2 Left-handed 670 7586
3 Use both hands equally 221 7807
7 Refused 0 7807
9 Don't know 0 7807
. Missing 484 8291

MGQ90DG - 90 degree angle with index finger

Variable Name:
MGQ90DG
SAS Label:
90 degree angle with index finger
English Text:
Was the participant able to achieve a 90 degree angle with the index finger on the eligible hand(s)?
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 7750 7750
2 No - Not right hand 24 7774
3 No - Not left hand 14 7788
4 No - Not either hand 19 7807
. Missing 484 8291

MGDSEAT - Testing position

Variable Name:
MGDSEAT
SAS Label:
Testing position
English Text:
Testing position
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Standing 4997 4997
2 Seated 214 5211
. Missing 3080 8291

MGAPHAND - Hand assigned for practice trial

Variable Name:
MGAPHAND
SAS Label:
Hand assigned for practice trial
English Text:
The hand assigned for the practice trial
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Right 3906 3906
2 Left 3901 7807
. Missing 484 8291

MGATHAND - Begin the test with this hand.

Variable Name:
MGATHAND
SAS Label:
Begin the test with this hand.
English Text:
Begin the test with this hand.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Right 3900 3900
2 Left 3907 7807
. Missing 484 8291

MGXH1T1 - Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 1

Variable Name:
MGXH1T1
SAS Label:
Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 1
English Text:
Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 1
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
4 to 81.5 Range of Values 7798 7798
. Missing 493 8291

MGXH1T1E - Grip strength, hand 1, test 1 effort

Variable Name:
MGXH1T1E
SAS Label:
Grip strength, hand 1, test 1 effort
English Text:
Whether the participant exerted a maximal or questionable effort during the test 1 on hand 1, as assessed by the technician.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Maximal 7466 7466
2 Questionable 332 7798
. Missing 493 8291

MGXH2T1 - Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 1

Variable Name:
MGXH2T1
SAS Label:
Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 1
English Text:
Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 1
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
4 to 79.5 Range of Values 7682 7682
. Missing 609 8291

MGXH2T1E - Grip strength, hand 2, test 1 effort

Variable Name:
MGXH2T1E
SAS Label:
Grip strength, hand 2, test 1 effort
English Text:
Whether the participant exerted a maximal or questionable effort during the test 1 on hand 2, as assessed by the technician.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Maximal 7493 7493
2 Questionable 189 7682
. Missing 609 8291

MGXH1T2 - Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 2

Variable Name:
MGXH1T2
SAS Label:
Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 2
English Text:
Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 2
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5 to 77.6 Range of Values 7789 7789
. Missing 502 8291

MGXH1T2E - Grip strength, hand 1, test 2 effort

Variable Name:
MGXH1T2E
SAS Label:
Grip strength, hand 1, test 2 effort
English Text:
Whether the participant exerted a maximal or questionable effort during the test 2 on hand 1, as assessed by the technician.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Maximal 7647 7647
2 Questionable 142 7789
. Missing 502 8291

MGXH2T2 - Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 2

Variable Name:
MGXH2T2
SAS Label:
Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 2
English Text:
Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 2
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5 to 81.4 Range of Values 7672 7672
. Missing 619 8291

MGXH2T2E - Grip strength, hand 2, test 2 effort

Variable Name:
MGXH2T2E
SAS Label:
Grip strength, hand 2, test 2 effort
English Text:
Whether the participant exerted a maximal or questionable effort during the test 2 on hand 2, as assessed by the technician.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Maximal 7573 7573
2 Questionable 99 7672
. Missing 619 8291

MGXH1T3 - Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 3

Variable Name:
MGXH1T3
SAS Label:
Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 3
English Text:
Grip strength (kg), hand 1, test 3
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5 to 81.2 Range of Values 7786 7786
. Missing 505 8291

MGXH1T3E - Grip strength, hand 1, test 3 effort

Variable Name:
MGXH1T3E
SAS Label:
Grip strength, hand 1, test 3 effort
English Text:
Whether the participant exerted a maximal or questionable effort during the test 3 on hand 1, as assessed by the technician.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Maximal 7679 7679
2 Questionable 107 7786
. Missing 505 8291

MGXH2T3 - Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 3

Variable Name:
MGXH2T3
SAS Label:
Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 3
English Text:
Grip strength (kg), hand 2, test 3
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5.1 to 82.8 Range of Values 7664 7664
. Missing 627 8291

MGXH2T3E - Grip strength, hand 2, test 3 effort

Variable Name:
MGXH2T3E
SAS Label:
Grip strength, hand 2, test 3 effort
English Text:
Whether the participant exerted a maximal or questionable effort during the test 3 on hand 2, as assessed by the technician.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Maximal 7557 7557
2 Questionable 107 7664
. Missing 627 8291

MGDCGSZ - Combined grip strength (kg)

Variable Name:
MGDCGSZ
SAS Label:
Combined grip strength (kg)
English Text:
Combined grip strength (kg): the sum of the largest reading from each hand.
Target:
Both males and females 6 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
8 to 162.8 Range of Values 7677 7677
. Missing 614 8291