The association between occupational categories and grip strength in Korean male workers

This study explored the association between occupational categories and muscle strength using handgrip strength (HGS) while considering sociodemographic and health-related factors in Korean men using a national survey.

Using cross-sectional data of 8380 men (59.9 ± 16.6 years of age), the occupational categories held the longest duration and HGS levels (normal vs. weak) were determined. Logistic regression was applied with adjustment for sociodemographic factors, work-related factors (working hours and schedule), and health-related factors (physical activity, sedentary time, resistance exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking status, chronic illness, subjective health status, weight category, metabolic syndrome, and protein intake).

Weak HGS prevalence was lowest in male managerial or professional workers (1.5%) and highest in male skilled agricultural, forestry, fishery, or craft and the related trades workers (16.4%). Compared to male managerial or professional workers, the odds for weak HGS increased in male service/sales workers (OR 2.41; 95% CI 1.45–3.99) and male manual workers [agricultural/forestry/fishery/craft and related trades workers, OR 2.94 (95% CI 1.78–4.83); equipment/machine operating/assembling workers, OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.05–2.71); and elementary workers, OR 3.43 (95% CI 1.95–6.05)] in the fully adjusted model. Regardless of age groups, income, working hours, strength exercise, and sedentary time levels, and chronic illness and metabolic syndrome status, male manual workers were more likely to have weak HGS compared to male non-manual workers.

Male manual workers may have a higher risk for weak muscle strength compared to male non-manual workers regardless of sociodemographic, work-related, and health-related factors.