Muscular strength and cardiovascular risk factors in adults: a systematic review

The purpose of this study was to identify and summarize the relationships between MS and individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) [high waist circumference (WC), high blood pressure (BP), high systolic blood pressure (SBP), high diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose (GL) and low HDL cholesterol levels (HDL-C)] in adults.

A systematic review was performed on six electronic databases (Lilacs, Pubmed, Scielo, Scopus, Sportdiscus, and Web of Knowledge), with complimentary searches in reference lists. The databases were investigated without restrictions regarding the period of publication.

Of the 6,833 articles initially identified, 17 were included, with data on 43,343 adults. Higher MS values were associated with lower WC values. Different results in relation to the association between MS and BP, MS and SBP, and MS and DBP were verified. In addition, inconclusive results were verified in the relationship between MS and TG, MS and HDL-C, and MS and GL.

Higher MS values were related with lower WC in adults. More evidence from longitudinal studies with high methodological rigor is needed to elucidate the relationship between MS and CVD among adults.