A study conducted at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä has found that a genetic predisposition for higher muscle strength is associated with a longer lifespan and a reduced risk of developing common diseases. This extensive international study, utilizing genome and health data from over 340,000 individuals in Finland, sheds light on the relationship between inherited muscle strength and morbidity.
Muscle strength, particularly grip strength, serves as an indicator of an individual’s physiological resilience against age-related ailments and disabilities. While lifestyle choices influence muscle strength, genetics also play a significant role.
The research revealed that individuals with a genetic inclination for higher muscle strength tend to have a slightly lower risk of common noncommunicable diseases and premature mortality. However, this genetic predisposition does not necessarily translate to better survival following acute adverse health events.
According to doctoral researcher Paiva Herranen, the genetic predisposition for higher muscle strength seems to reflect an individual’s inherent capacity to resist pathological changes associated with aging, rather than their ability to fully recover from severe adversity.
The study utilized a polygenic score for muscle strength, which consolidates the effects of numerous genetic variants into a single metric. This approach allowed researchers to compare individuals with varying genetic predispositions for muscle strength and examine their associations with common diseases.
While these findings suggest that genetic information on muscle strength could enhance traditional risk assessment for identifying individuals at high risk of diseases, further research is warranted. Specifically, investigations into how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, interact with genetics to influence health outcomes are needed.
The study benefited from the Finnegan dataset, a unique collaboration of Finnish biobanks comprising genetic and health information from over 340,000 individuals. Diagnoses included in the study were based on leading causes of death and prevalent noncommunicable diseases in Finland.
This study, part of the Gen Active project, contributes to understanding how genetics and environmental factors impact muscle strength decline and aging. Led by Assistant Professor and Academy Research Fellow Elina Sillanpaa, the research involved collaboration with the Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), and the Finnegan research project.
