Abstract
Introduction Low muscle strength is common and important in geriatric syndromes including frailty and sarcopenia. The epidemiology of grip strength of older people under long-term care facilities has been little explored. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess handgrip strength of older women and men covered by institutional care and to analyse the associations between HGS and mobility, leg strength, flexibility, and postural balance. Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional study carried out at care homes in southeastern Poland. After considering the inclusion criteria, 209 older people aged 65 to 85 were included in the study. Sociodemographic data were collected, and tests of muscular strength, mobility, flexibility, and postural balance were carried out by the use of the stabilometric platform CQ Stab 2P. Results The average handgrip strength in the study group amounted to 19.8 kg, including 14.8 kg in women and 25.9 kg in men. Low grip strength was found in 67.83% women and 52.13% men in institutional care. A negative correlation between handgrip strength (HGS) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was demonstrated, both with and without cognitive task and strength of lower limbs. Gait speed and dynamic balance were positively correlated with HGS. A negative correlation was found between the total length of the centre of pressure (COP) path, the length of the COP path in the lateral-medial direction, and the sway area delimited by the COP and HGS for the dominant hand. Speaking of women, gait speed was most strongly associated with HGS, while among men, it was upper limb flexibility. Conclusion Regardless of gender, HGS is associated with mobility, strength of the lower limbs, and dynamic balance. By means of simple tools, early diagnosis will facilitate the planning of appropriate interventions in order to prevent disability and mortality in long-term care facilities.
Highlights
Low muscle strength is common and important in geriatric syndromes including frailty and sarcopenia. e epidemiology of grip strength of older people under long-term care facilities has been little explored
Loss of muscle strength is a key indicator for many geriatric syndromes, including weakness syndrome, sarcopenia, mobility impairments, and falls [4]
Over 60% of the researched people were characterized by reduced handgrip strength. ere were differences between sexes for age, body mass, height, marital status, handgrip, mobility, gait speed, right upper limb flexibility, and postural balance variables describing the mean and maximal centre of pressure (COP) displacement in the anteroposterior direction
Summary
Aging is associated with progressive loss of muscle mass with a simultaneous increase in fat mass [1]. BioMed Research International e decrease in the grip strength associated with aging reduces the independence of the older people, leading to the need to use family support or caregivers [13]. It may impair manual dexterity of upper limbs, as well as affect the ability to maintain postural balance and gait independence [14]. E European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) recognizes that strength is a better measurement than muscle mass in predicting loss of independence or need for long-term care placement. Due to the fact that the average grip strength varies depending on the geographic regions of the world, the extension of reference values among older women and men receiving institutional care in Poland is important for clinical practice [18]. e aim of the study was to assess the strength of the handgrip and identify factors associated with it among older women and men in long-term care facilities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
