Muscular strength across the life course: The tracking and trajectory patterns of muscular strength between childhood and mid-adulthood in an Australian cohort

Abstract Objectives Low muscular strength is a risk factor for current and future adverse health outcomes. However, whether levels of persist, or track, if there are distinct trajectories across the life course unclear. This study aimed to explore between childhood mid-adulthood. Design Prospective longitudinal study. Methods Childhood Determinants Adult Health Study participants had their (right left handgrip, shoulder extension flexion, leg measured by hand-held, leg-back dynamometers, combined score) assessed in childhood, young adulthood The tracking was quantified mid-adulthood (n = 385) young- (n = 822). Muscular trajectory patterns were identified who at least twice (n = 1280). Results Levels persistent mid-adulthood, with highest correlations observed score (childhood mid-adulthood: r = 0.47, p  Conclusions Weak children likely become weak adults midlife unless strategies increasing introduced. Whether interventions could be implemented help establish favourable turn, better health, warrant further attention.