Decline In Handgrip Strength Research Articles

Relative changes in handgrip strength and skeletal muscle volume in patients with chronic liver disease over a 2-year observation period.

There are few reports regarding relative changes in muscle function of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). We examined CLD patients to evaluate relative changes in handgrip strength and muscle volume. We enrolled 413 CLD outpatients who underwent handgrip strength measurements in both 2015 and 2017 (age 67.9 ± 10.0years; male/female = 242/171; hepatitis C virus [HCV]/hepatitis B virus [HBV]/HBV and HCV/alcohol/others = 239/92/4/22/56; Child-Pugh score [CPS] in 2015 [5/6/7/8/9/≥10 = 335/51/12/11/3/1]). Relative change in muscle volume (ΔPI) from 2015 to 2017 was evaluated using computed tomography findings in 230 of the patients, using a previously reported method. Clinical characteristics, as well as relative changes of handgrip strength (ΔHGS) and ΔPI were analyzed. For the patient cohort as a whole, CPS became significantly worse in 2017 (5/6/7/8/9/≥10 = 319/56/13/11/5/9; P = 0.002). In individual patients with CPS decline, serum albumin level was significantly decreased (3.78 ± 0.50 to 3.33 ± 0.61g/dL; P < 0.001), whereas no decrease was seen in those without such a decline (4.16 ± 0.48 to 4.20 ± 0.44g/dL; P = 0.028). Furthermore, ΔHGS (-1.4 ± 4.8 [n = 59] vs. 0.7 ± 4.8kg [n = 354]; P = 0.002) and ΔPI (-0.44 ± 0.88 [n = 38] vs. 0.03 ± 0.64cm2 /m2 [n = 192]; P = 0.003) were worse in patients with, compared to those without, a decline in CPS. Age was not significantly different between patients with and without handgrip strength decline (66.5 ± 10.3 vs. 65.3 ± 9.9years; P = 0.256). There was a significant relationship between ΔHGS, ΔPI and relative change in serum albumin (r = 0.161, P = 0.001 and r = 0.225, P < 0.001, respectively). Decline in CPS, especially decreasing serum albumin level, showed a significant relationship with muscle function reduction and muscle volume loss.

A prospective study on the association of sleep duration with grip strength among middle-aged and older Chinese

BackgroundLongitudinal studies on sleep duration and grip strength decline are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of baseline sleep duration with follow-up grip strength and grip strength changeover time among a large sample of middle-aged and older Chinese. MethodsData from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, CHARLS (2011–2015), were analyzed. Hand grip strength was measured by dynamometers twice with 4 years interval. Baseline self-reported nighttime sleep duration was collected by questionnaire. Basic demographics, life habits and health status were considered as potential confounders. Multivariate linear regression models with quadratic function and mixed-effects regression models were fitted. ResultsInverted U-shaped associations occurred between baseline sleep duration and follow-up grip strength for both males (βlinear = 1.011, plinear = 0.002; βquadratic = −0.061, pquadratic = 0.014) and females (βlinear = 0.605, plinear = 0.005, βquadratic = −0.041, pquadratic = 0.019). Compared to the sleep duration of 7 h, significant interactions of <5 hours-by-time (γ= − 0.966 with SEE = 0.442, p = .029) in males as well as 5–7 hours-by-time (γ= − 0.717 with SEE = 0.294, p = .015), 7–9 hours-by-time (γ= − 0.632 with SEE = 0.311, p = .042) and >9 hours-by-time (γ= − 1.567 with SEE = 0.560, p = .005) in females were found. ConclusionFor both males and females, compared to the intermediate sleep duration, shorter or longer sleep may predict the weaker follow-up grip strength and the faster rate of hand grip strength decline over time.

Hand grip strength measurement in haemodialysis patients: before or after the session?

BackgroundHand grip strength (HGS) is a key measurement in the assessment of frailty phenotype in haemodialysis patients. However, the measurement is not very standardized, and notably, current data on the potential impact of a haemodialysis session on the results are both limited and controversial. In the present analysis, we compared HGS results before and after a haemodialysis session in 101 patients.MethodsIn the current observational study, HGS has been measured in adult haemodialysis patients on the same day, first before connection to the dialysis machine and then just after disconnection. At each timing, measurements were repeated three times with an interval of 5 s between measurements and the higher value was used for analysis.ResultsOne hundred and one patients (64% men) with a median (interquartile range, 25th percentile; 75th percentile) age of 66 (46; 76) years were included. In the whole population, a significant decline in HGS was observed after dialysis, with an absolute median decline of − 4 (0; −6) kg and a relative median difference of −11 (0; −20)%. These differences were observed in both genders and were independent of the baseline HGS value.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the timing (before or after the dialysis session) of hand grip assessment is clinically relevant and should be taken into account in clinical practice and also in epidemiological and clinical studies.

Acute effect of dietary nitrate on forearm muscle oxygenation, blood volume and strength in older adults: A randomized clinical trial.

Both recovery time of post-exercise muscle oxygenation and muscle strength decline with aging. Although beetroot consumption has been shown to improve muscle oxygenation and exercise performance in adults, these effects in the elderly has not been addressed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a beetroot-based gel (BG) on muscle O2 saturation, blood volume (tHb) and handgrip strength in the elderly in response to handgrip exercise. In a randomized crossover double-blind design, twelve older subjects consumed BG (100 g of beetroot-based gel containing ~ 12 mmol nitrate) or PLA (100 g of nitrate-depleted gel nitrate-depleted). The subjects performed a rhythmic handgrip exercise which consisted of a one 1-min set at 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of each subject, followed by a 1 min recovery. The muscle oxygenation parameters and tHb were continuously monitored by using near-infrared spectroscopy. MVC was evaluated at baseline, immediately after exercise, and 30 min afterwards. The muscle O2 resaturation rate during exercise recovery was greater in the BG when compared to PLA condition (1.43 ± 0.77 vs 1.02 ± 0.48%.s-1; P < 0.05). Significant increase was observed in tHb during exercise recovery (10.25 ± 5.47 vs 6.72 ± 4.55 μM; P < 0.05) and significant reduction of handgrip strength decline was observed 30 min after exercise in BG (- 0.24 ± 0.18 vs—0.39 ± 0.20 N; P < 0.05). In summary, a single dose of a beetroot-based gel speeds up muscle O2 resaturation, increases blood volume and improves recovery of handgrip strength after handgrip exercise in older adults.

Decreased grip strength, muscle pain, and atrophy occur in rats following long-term exposure to excessive repetitive motion.

Work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are caused by the overuse of muscles in the workplace. Performing repetitive tasks is a primary risk factor for the development of WMSD. Many workers in highly repetitive jobs exhibit muscle pain and decline in handgrip strength, yet the mechanisms underlying these dysfunctions are poorly understood. In our study, rats performed voluntary repetitive reaching and grasping tasks (Task group), while Control group rats did not perform these activities. In the Task group, grip strength and forearm flexor withdrawal threshold declined significantly from week 2 to week 6, compared with these values at week 0 (P < 0.05). Relative muscle weight and muscle fiber cross‐sectional area of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscles decreased significantly in the Task group, compared with the Control group, at 6 weeks (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Nerve growth factor, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor, and tumor necrosis factor α‐expression in FDS muscles were not significantly different in Control and Task groups at 3 and 6 weeks. At 6 weeks, the Task group had elevated MuRF1 protein levels (P = 0.065) and significant overexpression of the autophagy‐related (Atg) proteins, Beclin1 and Atg5–Atg12, compared with in the Control group (both P < 0.05). These data suggested that long‐term exposure to excessive repetitive motion causes loss of grip strength, muscle pain, and skeletal muscle atrophy. Furthermore, this exposure may enhance protein degradation through both the ubiquitin‐proteasome and autophagy‐lysosome systems, thereby decreasing skeletal muscle mass.

THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN HANDGRIP STRENGTH AND ITS CHANGE ON CARDIOVASCULAR INCIDENCE

Handgrip strength (HGS) is increasingly becoming a vital factor in physical capability. The last decade has seen a renewed importance in the association between HGS and diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular mortality rather than disability and mortality. As far as I known it is not yet known whether the HGS and its change associated with cardiovascular incidence among older adults in European countries. Data are drawn from the first four waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) with information on HGS, health and demographic characteristics from 7,232 participants aged 50–79 across 10 European countries. HGS was transformed as the low HGS (LGS), the fastest decline in HGS (FDGS), and the combination of the LGS and the FDGS (CBGS). Logistic regression models adjusted for the potential confounders showed that the FDGS and the CBGS were significantly correlated with cardiovascular incidence. However, the LGS as the lowest quintile HGS at baseline Wave was not significantly different from the normal HGS (NGS) on cardiovascular incidence. Both sexes with FDGS would have higher odds of experiencing cardiovascular development (all, P<0.02). In the CBGS, men with NGS&FDGS (P=0.008) and women with LGS&FDGS (P=0.000) were likely to have higher odds of having cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, the decline in HGS and the CBGS should be considered as an indicator of incidence of cardiovascular disease among older adults. The further studies on the current topic are therefore suggested in order to establish in clinical setting.

Age-related Decline in Handgrip Strength and Loss of Forearm Muscle Size and/or Muscle Quality in Men

Age-related decline in handgrip strength (HGS) is associated with several unfavorable health conditions and an increased risk of all-cause mortality. In general, muscle strength declines at a higher rate than muscle mass. Thus, an age-related decline in muscle strength/mass ratio (i.e., muscle quality) would be expected, however, it is unknown whether muscle quality in the forearm associates with HGS in the aging process. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationships between age-related declines in HGS and loss of forearm muscle size and/or muscle quality in men. METHODS: Two hundred fifty men aged 20-89 had muscle thickness (MT) measured by ultrasound at the anterior forearm of the dominant hand. MT was measured as the perpendicular distance between the subcutaneous adipose tissue-muscle interface and muscle-bone interface of the ulna (MT-ulna). HGS was also measured for the dominant hand with a hand dynamometer. Muscle quality (MQ) was defined as a ratio of HGS to MT-ulna. A one-way ANOVA determined differences between age groups for each variable and Pearson correlation coefficients were performed for all variables. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: HGS was similar among younger groups (47.6 [7.5] kg in aged 20-29 (n=34), 48.8 [7.7] kg in aged 30-39 (n=23) and 47.5 [7.2] kg in aged 40-49 (n=25)) and it decreased (p<0.001) gradually with age (43.8 [6.7] kg in aged 50-59 (n=47), 40.6 [6.7] kg in aged 60-69 (n=46), 36.7 [5.1] kg in aged 70-79 (n=47) and 33.4 [4.6] kg in aged 80-89 (n=28). MT-ulna was similar among young and middle-aged groups (3.92 [0.30] cm in aged 20-29, 3.85 [0.38] cm in aged 30-39, 3.83 [0.35] cm in aged 40-49, 3.82 [0.33] cm in aged 50-59 and 3.81 [0.29] cm in age 60-69) and was lower (p<0.01) in aged 70-79 (3.66 [0.26] cm) and aged 80-89 (3.58 [0.32] cm) compared to the aged 20-29. MQ was similar among younger groups (aged 20-29 to aged 40-49) and it decreased (p<0.01) gradually with age. MQ was strongly correlated to HGS in each age group (r=0.767-0.873), while MT-ulna was low to moderately correlated to HGS in each age group (r=0.344-0.759). CONCLUSIONS: Age-related decline in HGS is associated with MQ, but it appears to be accelerated after age 70 due to forearm muscle loss. Future research could investigate this further by looking at the association between loss of forearm muscle mass/MQ and mortality.

Age-related change in handgrip strength in men and women: is muscle quality a contributing factor?

Age-related changes in muscle quality and muscle mass in the forearm, which relate to decline in handgrip strength (HGS), have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between age-related declines in HGS and loss of muscle thickness and/or muscle quality in the forearm of 613 adults (306 men and 307 women) aged 20-89. Anterior forearm muscle thickness (MT-ulna) and HGS were measured using an ultrasound and a hand dynamometer, respectively, in the dominant hand. Muscle quality (fMQ) was defined as a ratio of HGS to MT-ulna. HGS was similar among younger (ages 20-29, 30-39, and 40-49) groups and was progressively lower with increasing age in both sexes. MT-ulna was similar between ages 20-29 and 60-69 in men and between ages 20-29 and 70-79 in women. In men, MT-ulna was lower in ages 70-79 and 80-89 compared with other age groups. In women, MT-ulna was lower in ages 80-89 compared with ages 20-29 and 40-49. In both men and women, fMQ was identical among younger (ages 20-29, 30-39, and 40-49) groups. After that fMQ was progressively lower with age in both men and women. The results indicated that age-related decline in HGS is associated with fMQ, but it appears to be accelerated after the seventh decade due to muscle loss.

Handgrip dynamometry in elderly individuals and its relation with body mass index

Background: Increasing age and excessive amount of adipose tissue leads to a decrease in muscle mass and muscle strength, termed as sarcopenic obesity. Assessment of handgrip strength and body mass index (BMI) are two easy tests, which can provide information about total body strength in relation to BMI. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the handgrip strength in urban elderly individuals of Amritsar and correlates it with BMI. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 173 elderly male and female participants, who were divided further into three subgroups each according to their age, i.e., Group A (50-59 years), Group B (60- 69 years), and Group C (70 years and above). The handgrip strength for both dominant and non-dominant hands was measured using simple spring-type handgrip dynamometer. Three anthropometric variables, i.e., height, weight, and BMI were recorded. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: Grip strength decreased significantly with age in both males and females. Males were stronger than females in all the age groups. Correlation studies showed a significant inverse relationship existed between handgrip strength and BMI. The increase in BMI led to a decrease in handgrip strength in both males and females. Conclusion: From our study, we can conclude that age-related decline in handgrip strength occurs from 50 years onward, in both males and females. An increase in BMI led to a decrease in handgrip strength. This information can be helpful in future studies, using grip strength as a measure of physical strength in elderly Punjabis.

Epidemiologic features of sarcopenia and its related indexes in elderly population in Beijing

Objective To investigate the epidemiologic features of sarcopenia and its related indexes in elderly population in Beijing. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing the elderly population in Beijing with the standard questionnaire including demographic information, history of diseases, lifestyle, etc. Body muscle mass was measured by using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA). Physical function was evaluated bythe subjects′ 6-m gait speed (GS), and muscle strength was determined by handgrip strength (HS). Results Muscle mass declined with aging in the elderly (F=6.77, P=0.001), and the elderly had less muscle mass in the urban than in the rural (t=4.32, P=0.038). HS and GS significantly declined with aging(F=7.62 and 15.79, P=0.0005 and 0.000), especially in females and the rural elderly. Logistic regression showed that aging and female were associated with the high risk of HS decline (OR=1.13, 1.92, both P<0.05), while the urban elderly had lower risk of HS decline (OR=0.10, P<0.05). Aging, high body mass index, irregular lifestyle were positively related to GS decline(OR=1.12, 1.25 and 2.77 respectively, all P<0.05). The risk of GS decline was lower in the urban elderly having physical activity and hobbies (OR=0.08, 0.27 and 0.11 respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusions Sarcopenia-related indexes are significantly associated with aging and have population-specific difference. Positive and healthy lifestyle contributes to maintain muscle function in the elderly. Key words: The elderly; Sarcopenia; Muscle mass; Gait speed; Handgrip strength

The impacts of Intergenerational Programmes on the Physical Health of older Adults

Background: The ageing population is growing and the dependency ratio is increasing. It is vital to promote healthy ageing of older people to relieve pressure on society. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of community-based intergenerational programmes on older adults’ physical health in terms of their general self-rated health, level of physical activity and physical functioning. Methods: A rapid literature review was performed to identify studies of intergenerational programmes for community-dwelling older adults. The search included peer-reviewed articles published in English from 1986 to 2014 with no country restriction. However, interventions for older people with dementia, as well as for anyone living in residential care were excluded. Supplementary searches were performed and a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: Seven studies met these inclusion criteria. Intergenerational activities, including volunteering and reminiscence components, have been associated with an overall positive trend in physical health outcomes. Individuals reported having better health, as well as decreased body aches and pain. In addition, participants reported a feeling of being “more active”, with improved energy consumption, increasing the numbers of streets walked and stairs climbed. For physical functioning, older volunteers tended to show less decline in hand grip strength but inconsistent results for walking speed. Conclusion: More studies with longer time horizons and sufficient statistical power are required to determine the optimal level of participation and to address potential barriers to maximising the benefits of intergenerational programmes for socially marginalised groups. More formal evaluations of the costs and benefits of programmes are needed, taking account of broader societal benefits to inform practice and policy for active ageing.

Effects of Community-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation on Body Composition and Physical Function in Individuals with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: 1.6-Year Followup

Objective. To examine long-term changes in physical function and body composition in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients participating in ongoing community-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Design. Thirty-four individuals (69.7 ± 8.2 years; 79% men) participated in this longitudinal observational study. Baseline and follow-up assessments included incremental shuttle walk, short physical performance battery, handgrip strength, chair stands, body composition, last year physical activity, and CR attendance. Results. Participants attended 38.5 ± 30.3% sessions during 1.6 ± 0.2 year followup. A significant increase in 30-second chair stands (17.0 ± 4.7 to 19.6 ± 6.4, P < 0.001), body weight (75.8 ± 11.1 to 77.2 ± 12.1 kg, P = 0.001), and body fat (27.0 ± 9.5 to 29.1 ± 9.6%, P < 0.001) and a decline in handgrip strength (36.4 ± 9.4 to 33.0 ± 10.6 kg·f, P < 0.001) and muscle mass (40.8 ± 5.6 to 39.3 ± 5.8%, P < 0.001) were observed during followup. There was no significant change in shuttle walk duration. CR attendance was not correlated to observed changes. Conclusions. Elderly CAD patients participating in a maintenance CR program improve lower-body muscle strength but experience a decline in handgrip strength and unfavourable changes in body composition, irrespective of CR attendance.

Long-term Changes in Handgrip Strength in Men and Women—Accounting the Effect of Right Censoring Due to Death

Age-related decline in muscle strength is among of the most important factors in the aging process leading to disability. This study examines age-related changes in handgrip strength through a 22-year follow-up in men and women. Because handgrip strength is associated with mortality, this study also accounts for the selection effect of right censoring by comparing the estimates of handgrip strength decline based either on only the handgrip strength data or on the data of both the handgrip strength and survival times. Data are from 1,890 men and women aged 30 years or more at baseline participating in the population-based Mini-Finland Health Examination Survey (1978-1980) with repeated handgrip strength measurement in 2000-2001. In men aged 31-41 years, the annual decrease in handgrip strength was approximately 3.5 Newtons (N). After that, the decrease accelerated and stabilized around the age of 75 years, being approximately 7.3 N per year. In women, respectively, prior to 45 years, the annual decrease was approximately 2 N and after age 80 years approximately 4 N per year. The estimates for the handgrip strength decline were more pronounced when the right censoring due to death was accounted for, especially for persons aged 65 years and older. Our work confirms that the right censoring, which depends on the outcome of interest, should be accounted for in analyses.

Temporal relationship between handgrip strength and cognitive performance in oldest old people

cognitive decline and muscle weakness are prevalent health conditions in elderly people. We hypothesised that cognitive decline precedes muscle weakness. to analyse the temporal relationship between cognitive performance and handgrip strength in oldest old people. prospective population-based 4-year follow-up study. a total of 555 subjects, all aged 85 years at baseline, were included into the study. handgrip strength measured at age 85 and 89 years. Neuropsychological test battery to assess global cognitive performance, attention, processing speed and memory at baseline and repeated at age 89 years. Associations between handgrip strength and cognitive performance were analysed by repeated linear regression analysis adjusted for common confounders. at age 85 and 89 years, better cognitive performance was associated with higher handgrip strength (all, P<0.03), except for attention. There was no longitudinal association between baseline handgrip strength and cognitive decline (all, P>0.10), except for global cognitive performance (P=0.007). Better cognitive performance at age 85 years was associated with slower decline in handgrip strength (all, P<0.01) after adjustment for common confounders. baseline cognitive performance was associated with decline in handgrip strength, whereas baseline handgrip strength was not associated with cognitive decline. Our results suggest that cognitive decline precedes the onset of muscle weakness in oldest old people.

Long‐Term Determinants of Muscle Strength Decline: Prospective Evidence from the 22‐Year Mini‐Finland Follow‐Up Survey

To examine long-term changes in handgrip strength and the factors predicting handgrip strength decline. Longitudinal cohort study with 22years of follow-up. Population-based Mini-Finland Health Examination Survey in Finland. Nine hundred sixty-three men and women aged 30 to 73 at baseline. Handgrip strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer at baseline and follow-up. Information on potential risk factors, namely lifestyle and chronic conditions, and their changes throughout the follow-up were based on health interviews. Based on linear mixed-effect models, midlife physically strenuous work, excess body weight, smoking, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and asthma predicted muscle strength decline over 22years of follow-up (P<.05 for all). In addition, pronounced weight loss, becoming physically sedentary, persistent smoking, incident coronary heart disease, other cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis, chronic back syndrome, long-lasting cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and asthma were associated with accelerated handgrip strength decline (P<.05 for all). Lifestyle and physical health earlier in life determine rate of muscle strength decline in old age. Efforts should be made to recognize persons at risk in a timely manner and target early interventions to middle-aged persons to slow down muscle strength decline and prevent future functional limitations and disability.

Declines in Physical Performance by Sex and Age Among Nondisabled Community-Dwelling Older Japanese During a 6-Year Period

BackgroundFew studies have examined whether declines over time in hand-grip strength (HGS) and fast walking speed (FWS) differ by sex and age among non-Western community-dwelling older adults. This study aimed to quantify changes in HGS and FWS over the 6-year period from 1994 to 2000 and examine whether these changes differed by sex and baseline age among older individuals in a Japanese community.MethodsWe conducted a community-based prospective cohort study. The participants were 513 nondisabled men and women aged 67 to 91 years at the 1994 survey. Independent variables regarding time since baseline, in addition to various time-dependent and time-independent covariates, were obtained in 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000. The outcome variables were HGS and FWS assessed at each survey. All data on independent and dependent variables that were collected at each survey were simultaneously analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model.ResultsThe linear mixed-effects model revealed significant declines in both HGS (−0.70 kg/year, P < 0.001) and FWS (−0.027 m/sec/year, P < 0.001) among nondisabled older participants who had analyzable data in any survey during the 6-year period. Sex was significantly associated with the rate of decline in HGS (P < 0.001), but not FWS (P = 0.211).ConclusionsIn this analysis of nondisabled older Japanese, a mixed-effects model confirmed a significant effect of aging on declines in HGS and FWS and showed that men had a significantly steeper decline in HGS than did women during a 6-year period.

Survivors of war in the Northern Kosovo (II): baseline clinical and functional assessment and lasting effects on the health of a vulnerable population.

BackgroundThis study documents torture and injury experience and investigates emotional well-being of victims of massive violence identified during a household survey in Mitrovicë district in Kosovo. Their physical health indicators such as body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength and standing balance were also measured. A further aim is to suggest approaches for developing and monitoring rehabilitation programmes.MethodsA detailed assessment was carried out on 63 male and 62 female victims. Interviews and physical examination provided information about traumatic exposure, injuries, and intensity and frequency of pain. Emotional well-being was assessed using the "WHO-5 Well-Being" score. Height, weight, handgrip strength and standing balance performance were measured.ResultsAround 50% of victims had experienced at least two types of torture methods and reported at least two injury locations; 70% had moderate or severe pain and 92% reported constant or periodic pain within the previous two weeks. Only 10% of the victims were in paid employment. Nearly 90% of victims had experienced at least four types of emotional disturbances within the previous two weeks, and many had low scores for emotional well-being. This was found to be associated with severe pain, higher exposure to violence and human rights violations and with a low educational level, unemployment and the absence of political or social involvement.Over two thirds of victims were overweight or obese. They showed marked decline in handgrip strength and only 19 victims managed to maintain standing balance. Those who were employed or had a higher education level, who did not take anti-depressant or anxiety drugs and had better emotional well-being or no pain complaints showed better handgrip strength and standing balance.ConclusionsThe victims reported a high prevalence of severe pain and emotional disturbance. They showed high BMI and a reduced level of physical fitness. Education, employment, political and social participation were associated with emotional well-being. Interventions to promote physical activity and social participation are recommended. The results indicate that the rapid assessment procedure used here offers an adequate tool for collecting data for the monitoring of health interventions among the most vulnerable groups of a population exposed to violence.

Age-Related Decline in Handgrip Strength Differs According to Gender

It is well-established that at old age there is a significant decline in muscle strength. Reference values for muscle strength might be useful for assessment of muscle impairment and of physiological adaptations. However, it is still unclear whether gender affects the rate of decline. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of gender and age on handgrip strength and to establish reference values for this variable. Reviewing medical charts collected from 1994 to 2005, a convenience sample of 2,648 subjects (1,787 men and 861 women), aged between 18 and 90 years, was obtained. Our results show higher handgrip strength for men compared with women (36.8 +/- 0.20 vs. 21.0 +/- 0.18 kg; p < 0.001). The regression analysis with a quadratic model shows that aging accounts for 30% of the variance in handgrip strength (r(2) = 0.30; p < 0.001) in men and 28% (r(2) = 0.28; p < 0.001) in women. In addition, the bent linear regression with multiple regressors show that a faster decline in handgrip strength occurs at the age of 30 years for men and 50 years for women. We conclude that handgrip strength decline with age differs between genders, making useful the existence of distinct male and female normative age group data.

Occupational and other risk factors for hand-grip strength: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study

Background: In certain occupations, including farm work, workers are exposed to hazardous substances, some of which are known to be toxic to the nervous system and may adversely affect muscle...

Cognitive Status, Muscle Strength, and Subsequent Disability in Older Mexican Americans

To examine the association between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and subsequent muscle strength (measured using handgrip strength) and to test the hypothesis that muscle strength will mediate any association between impaired cognition and incident activity of daily living (ADL) disability over a 7-year period in elderly Mexican Americans who were initially not disabled. A 7-year prospective cohort study (1993-2001). Five southwestern states (Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California). Two thousand three hundred eighty-one noninstitutionalized Mexican-American men and women aged 65 and older with no ADL disability at baseline. In-home interviews in 1993/1994, 1995/1996, 1998/1999, and 2000/2001 assessed social and demographic factors, medical conditions (diabetes mellitus, stroke, heart attack, and arthritis), body mass index (BMI), depressive symptomatology, handgrip muscle strength, and ADLs. MMSE score was dichotomized as less than 21 for poor cognition and 21 or greater for good cognition. Main outcomes measures were mean and slope of handgrip muscle strength over the 7-year period and incident disability, defined as new onset of any ADL limitation at the 2-, 5-, or 7-year follow-up interview periods. In mixed model analyses, there was a significant cross-sectional association between having poor cognition (MMSE<21) and lower handgrip strength, independent of age, sex, and time of interview (estimate=-1.41, standard error (SE)=0.18; P<.001). With the introduction of a cognition-by-time interaction term into the model, there was also a longitudinal association between poor cognition and change in handgrip strength over time (estimate=-0.25, SE=0.06; P<.001), indicating that subjects with poor cognition had a significantly greater decline in handgrip strength over 7 years than those with good cognition, independent of age, sex, and time. This longitudinal association between poor cognition and greater muscle decline remained significant (P<.001) after controlling for age, sex, education, and time-dependent variables of depression, BMI, and medical conditions. In general estimation equation models, having poor cognition was associated with greater risk of 7-year incident ADL disability (odds ratio=2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.60-2.52); the magnitude of the association decreased to 1.66 (95% CI=1.31-2.10) when adjustment was made for handgrip strength. Older Mexican Americans with poor cognition had steeper decline in handgrip muscle strength over 7 years than those with good cognition, independent of other demographic and health factors. A possible mediating effect of muscle strength on the association between poor cognition and subsequent ADL disability was also indicated.