Are they half as strong as they used to be? An experiment testing whether age-related social comparisons impair older people's hand grip strength and persistence

Background Anxiety disorders are leading contributors to the global disease burden, highly prevalent across the lifespan and associated with substantially increased morbidity and early mortality. Aims The aim of this study was to examine age-related changes across a wide range of physiological measures in middle-aged and older adults with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders compared with healthy controls. Method The UK Biobank study recruited >500 000 adults, aged 37–73, between 2006 and 2010. We used generalised additive models to estimate non-linear associations between age and hand-grip strength, cardiovascular function, body composition, lung function and heel bone mineral density in a case group and in a control group. Results The main data-set included 332 078 adults (mean age 56.37 years; 52.65% women). In both genders, individuals with anxiety disorders had a lower hand-grip strength and lower blood pressure, whereas their pulse rate and body composition measures were higher than in the healthy control group. Case–control group differences were larger when considering individuals with chronic and/or severe anxiety disorders, and differences in body composition were modulated by depression comorbidity status. Differences in age-related physiological changes between females in the anxiety disorder case group and healthy controls were most evident for blood pressure, pulse rate and body composition, whereas this was the case in males for hand-grip strength, blood pressure and body composition. Most differences in physiological measures between the case and control groups decreased with increasing age. Conclusions Findings in individuals with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders differed from a healthy control group across multiple physiological measures, with some evidence of case–control group differences by age. The differences observed varied by chronicity/severity and depression comorbidity.

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Risk Factors for Smell Impairment and Alteration in Older Americans: NHANES 2013–2014 (P01-024-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz028.p01-024-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mary Camire ◽

Emily Durán-Frontera ◽

Mona Therrien

Keyword(s):

Grip Strength ◽

Body Mass ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Older Americans ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Hand Grip ◽

Age Related ◽

Simple Logistic

Abstract Objectives This study examined relationships among smell impairment and health in adults over the age of 60 years. We hypothesized that persons with impaired or altered olfaction would be weaker (as shown by hand grip strength tests) and have a lower body mass index (BMI) ratios because they ate less. Methods The 2013–2014 NHANES database was use examined for smell identification scores, general demographic data, handgrip strength, and other types of data. Only persons aged 60 or older who had completed the Mobile Exam Center interview, and the complete smell and grip tests were included (n = 1287). Data were weighted to represent the U.S. population. Smell impairment was defined as five or fewer correct answers in the Odor Identification Test. Data-dependent statistical analyses (t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum, χ2) were performed to find differences based on specific criteria. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were generated by simple logistic regression, and then a multivariable predictive model was developed. Results The NHANES participants included for these analyses were mainly non-Hispanic white (52.7%), college-educated (54.5%), and lived with someone (60%). The prevalence of smell impairment was 21.7% among persons aged 60 or older, but the prevalence rose to 44.8% among persons aged 75–80. The prevalence of self-reported smell alteration was 16.2%. Smell impairment was significantly associated with age 75–80 years (OR: 3.51, CI: 2.51–3.11), and an educational level of high school or less (OR: 1.70, CI: 1.40–2.30). After adjustment for gender, age, education, and race, smell impairment was associated with poor health self-ratings (OR: 2.63, CI: 1.30–5.40), more sedentary hours each day (OR: 1.07, CI: 1.03–1.11), and presence of smell alteration (OR: 3.00, CI: 2.10–4.60). Persons with normal muscle and hand grip strength were less likely to have a smell impairment or alteration. Conclusions Men aged 75–80 years were more at risk for smell impairment. Further research is needed to determine whether preservation of olfaction can forestall age-related reductions in appetite, and subsequent loss in body mass, particularly muscle. The inclusion of persons older than 80 years in the NHANES sampling would provide useful data for researchers. Funding Sources USDA Hatch funds.

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Age-related changes in hand grip strength among rural and urban Haryanvi Jat females

HOMO ◽

10.1016/j.jchb.2009.06.002 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 60 (5) ◽

pp. 441-450 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Maninder Kaur

Keyword(s):

Grip Strength ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Hand Grip ◽

Age Related ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Age Related Changes

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Muscular Strength and Quality of Life in Older Adults: The Role of ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031055 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1055

Author(s):

Ana Fernández-Araque ◽

Andrea Giaquinta-Aranda ◽

Jose Andrés Rodríguez-Díez ◽

Silvia Carretero-Molinero ◽

Jorge López-López ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Regression Coefficient ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Clinical Group ◽

Hand Grip ◽

Age Related

As longevity is increasing, the 65-year-old and older population is projected to increase in the next decades, as are the consequences of age-related muscle deterioration on the quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of the ACTN3R577X polymorphism with quality of life and muscular strength in an older Spanish population. In total, 281 older adults participated in this study. Anthropometric measurements, chronic diseases, prescribed medications, quality of life, hand grip strength, and physical activity and nutritional status data were collected. ACTN3 R577X genotyping was determined using Taqman probes. Multivariate regression analysis revealed in adjusted model that, in men, the ACTN3 R577X genotype was significantly associated with hand grip strength (HGS), regression coefficient (β) = 1.23, p = 0.008, dimension 1 of the five-dimension questionnaire EuroQoL (EQ-5D, mobility), (β) = −1.44, p = 0.006, and clinical group risk (CGR) category (β) = −1.38, p = 0.006. In women, a marginal association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and the CGR category was observed, with a regression coefficient of (β) = −0.97, (p = 0.024). Our findings suggest that the ACTN3 R577X genotype may influence the decline in muscle strength and quality of life in older Spanish adult males.

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Anxiety disorders and age-related changes in physiology

10.1101/2021.08.15.21262059 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julian Mutz ◽

Thole H Hoppen ◽

Chiara Fabbri ◽

Cathryn M Lewis

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Body Composition ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Physiological Measures ◽

Hand Grip ◽

Age Related ◽

History Of

Objective: Anxiety disorders are leading contributors to the global disease burden, highly prevalent across the lifespan, and associated with substantially increased morbidity and early mortality. The aim of this study was to examine age-related changes across a wide range of physiological measures in middle-aged and older adults with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders compared to healthy controls. Methods: The UK Biobank study recruited >500,000 adults, aged 37-73, between 2006-2010. We used generalised additive models to estimate non-linear associations between age and hand-grip strength, cardiovascular function, body composition, lung function and heel bone mineral density in cases vs. controls. Results: The main dataset included 332,078 adults (mean age = 56.37 years; 52.65% females). In both sexes, individuals with anxiety disorders had lower hand-grip strength and blood pressure, while their pulse rate and body composition measures were higher than in healthy controls. Case-control differences were larger when considering individuals with chronic and/or severe anxiety disorders, and differences in body composition were modulated by depression comorbidity status. Differences in age-related physiological changes between female anxiety disorder cases and healthy controls were most evident for blood pressure, pulse rate and body composition, while in males for hand-grip strength, blood pressure and body composition. Most differences in physiological measures between cases and controls tended to decrease with age increase. Conclusion: Individuals with a lifetime history of anxiety disorders differed from healthy controls across multiple physiological measures, with some evidence of case-control differences by age. The differences observed varied by chronicity/severity and depression comorbidity.

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Frailty Characteristics in Chronic HIV Patients are Markers of White Matter Atrophy Independently of Age and Depressive Symptoms: A Pilot Study

Open Medicine Journal ◽

10.2174/1874220301603010138 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 138-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Kalpana J. Kallianpur ◽

Marissa Sakoda ◽

Louie Mar A. Gangcuangco ◽

Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu ◽

Tracie Umaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Hiv Patients ◽

Cerebellar White Matter ◽

Hand Grip ◽

Age Related

Background:Chronic HIV disease is associated with neurocognitive impairment and age-related conditions such as frailty.Objective:To determine whether regional brain volumetric changes correlate with frailty parameters in older (≥ 40 years) HIV+ patients on stable combination antiretroviral therapy.Method:Thirty-five HIV-infected participants in the Hawaii Aging with HIV Cohort - Cardiovascular Disease study underwent T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging, frailty assessment and neuropsychological testing. Five physical frailty traits were assessed: low physical activity; exhaustion; unintentional weight loss; weak hand grip strength; slow walking speed. Linear regression quantified cross-sectional relationships of 12 brain regions to walking times and hand grip strength.Results:Participants were 50.6 ± 6.8 years old and 77% had undetectable plasma viral load. One subject was frail (possessing ≥ 3 frailty traits); 23% were pre-frail (1–2 frailty traits) and had worse composite learning and memory z-scores than did non-frail individuals (p=0.06). Pre-frail or frail subjects had reduced hand grip strength relative to the non-frail group (p=0.001). Longer walking times (slower gait) related independently to lower volumes of cerebellar white matter (p<0.001, β=−0.6) and subcortical gray matter (p<0.05, β=−0.30). Reduced thalamus volume was linked to weaker grip strength (p< 0.05, β=0.4). Caudate volume was negatively associated with grip strength (p<0.01, β=−0.5).Conclusion:Volumetric changes in cerebellar white matter and subcortical gray matter, brain regions involved in motor control and cognition, may be connected to frailty development in well-controlled HIV. Gait speed is particularly sensitive to white matter alterations and should be investigated as a predictor of frailty and brain atrophy in chronically infected patients.

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Study of Age-Related Finger Span and Hand Grip Strength of Adult Female Garment Workers in Bangladesh

Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College Journal ◽

10.3329/cmoshmcj.v20i1.53590 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 62-66

Author(s):

Laila Razzaque ◽

Md Ashrafuzzaman ◽

Monjurul Hakim

Keyword(s):

Grip Strength ◽

Adult Female ◽

Age Groups ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Hand Tools ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Garment Workers ◽

Hand Grip ◽

Age Related

Background: Age related hand anthropometry is important for the effective designing of dimensionally compatible hand tools, gloves, machine access spaces and hand-held devices. The present study was designed to measure and compare finger spans and the hand grip strength of both hands of adult female garment workers of different age groups in Bangladesh and to establish correlation between finger spans and the hand grip strength of same hand. Materials and methods: The study was a descriptive, observational and cross sectional in nature with some analytic component; carried out in the Department of anatomy, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, from January 2015 to December 2015. A purposive non random convenient sampling was done to select 300 female garment workers, age ranging from 21-35 years. Hand grip strength and 5 finger spans were measured. ANOVA test was performed to correlate of finger spans and hand grip strength of different age groups. Results: Difference of hand grip strength with age showed significant in both hands. Difference of finger spans with age showed non-significant. There was positive correlation between finger spans and hand grip strength of the same hand. Conclusion: Study of age related anthropometric measurements of hand can play an important role to design same workplace, same hand tools, and same access spaces for the hand of the age group (21-35) years of adult female garment workers in Bangladesh and increase the usage of human resources. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.20 (1); January 2021; Page 62-66

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Muscle Performance Changes with Age in Active Women

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4477

Author(s):

Ryan M. Miller ◽

Eduardo D. S. Freitas ◽

Aaron D. Heishman ◽

Keldon M. Peak ◽

Samuel R. Buchanan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grip Strength ◽

Age Groups ◽

Knee Extensor ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Muscle Performance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Jump Performance ◽

Specific Strength ◽

Hand Grip ◽

Age Related

The purpose of this study was to examine age-related differences in muscle performance in women divided into young (YW, 20–39 years, n = 29) middle-aged (MAW, 40–59 years, n = 33), and older (OW, ≥60 years, n = 40) age groups. Methods: Hand grip strength, vertical jump performance, and knee extensor (KE) strength (0 deg/s, 60 deg/s, and 240 deg/s), speed of movement (SoM; at 1 Nm, 20%, 40%, and 60% isometric strength), and endurance (30-repetition test at 60 degs/s and 240 deg/s) were assessed. Computed tomography-acquired muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) was measured and included to determine specific strength (KE strength/mCSA). Results: Hand grip strength was similar across groups, while jump performance declined with age (YW and MAW > OW, p < 0.001). KE strength declined significantly with age (all conditions p < 0.01), while specific strength was similar across groups. SoM was significantly higher for YW and MAW compared to OW (both p < 0.01). An age × velocity interaction revealed YW KE endurance was similar between conditions, whereas MAW and OW displayed significantly better endurance during the 60 deg/s condition. OW displayed impaired KE endurance at 240 deg/s (vs. YW and MAW, p < 0.01) but improved at 60 deg/s (vs. YW, p < 0.01). Dynamic torque decline increased with age (YW < OW, p = 0.03) and was associated with intramuscular adipose tissue (r = 0.21, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Performance declines were most evident among OW, but few performance deficits had emerged in MAW. Interestingly, strength declines disappeared after normalizing to mCSA and endurance appears to be velocity-dependent.

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