Handgrip Strength Asymmetry Is Associated With Functional Disability In Older Americans

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a convent measure of strength capacity and associated with several age-related health conditions such as functional disability. Asymmetric strength between limbs has been linked to diminished function. Therefore, both HGS asymmetry and weakness could be associated with functional disability. We examined the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on functional limitations in a nationally representative sample of older Americans. Methods: Data were analyzed from 2689 adults ≥ 60 years who participated in the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weakness was defined as HGS < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. Asymmetry was determined from the ratio of the dominant and non-dominant HGS. Those with HGS ratio 0.9–1.1 were considered as having HGS symmetry, and those outside this range had asymmetry. Results: Compared to those with symmetric HGS and were not weak, those with weakness alone, and both weakness and HGS asymmetry had 2.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–5.35) and 3.93 (CI: 1.18–13.07) greater odds for functional limitations, respectively. However, HGS asymmetry alone was not associated with functional limitations (odds ratio: 0.80; CI: 0.62–1.03). Conclusion: The use of HGS asymmetry in protocols could improve the prognostic value of handgrip dynamometers.

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Handgrip strength asymmetry is associated with future falls in older Americans

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research ◽

10.1007/s40520-020-01757-z ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ryan McGrath ◽

Brian C. Clark ◽

Matteo Cesari ◽

Carol Johnson ◽

Donald A. Jurivich

Keyword(s):

Handgrip Strength ◽

Older Americans ◽

Strength Asymmetry

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Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Together Are Associated With Functional Disability in Aging Americans

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glaa100 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ryan McGrath ◽

Brenda M Vincent ◽

Donald A Jurivich ◽

Kyle J Hackney ◽

Grant R Tomkinson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Generalized Estimating Equations ◽

Daily Living ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

National Sample ◽

Dominant Hand ◽

Predictive Utility ◽

Strength Asymmetry ◽

Adl Disability ◽

Retirement Study

Abstract Background Evaluating handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry may help to improve the prognostic value of HGS. This study sought to determine the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on future activities of daily living (ADL) disability in a national sample of aging Americans. Methods The analytic sample included 18,468 Americans aged ≥50 years from the 2006–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. A handgrip dynamometer measured HGS. Those with HGS >10% stronger on either hand were considered as having any HGS asymmetry. Individuals with HGS >10% stronger on their dominant hand were considered as having dominant HGS asymmetry, while those with HGS >10% stronger on their nondominant hand were classified as having nondominant HGS asymmetry. Men with HGS <26 kg and women with HGS <16 kg were considered weak. ADLs were self-reported. Generalized estimating equations were used for analyses. Results Relative to those with symmetric HGS and no weakness, each HGS asymmetry and weakness group had increased odds for future ADL disability: 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.20) for any HGS asymmetry alone, 1.42 (CI: 1.16–1.74) for weakness alone, and 1.81 (CI: 1.52–2.16) for both any HGS asymmetry and weakness. Most weakness and HGS asymmetry dominance groups had increased odds for future ADL disability: 1.30 (CI: 1.13–1.50) for nondominant HGS asymmetry alone, 1.42 (CI: 1.16–1.74) for weakness alone, 1.72 (CI: 1.29–2.29) for both weakness and nondominant HGS asymmetry, and 1.86 (CI: 1.52–2.28) for both weakness and dominant HGS asymmetry. Conclusions HGS asymmetry and weakness together may increase the predictive utility of handgrip dynamometers.

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451 THE BEST MARKER FOR COGNITION—RELATIVE HANDGRIP STRENGTH, ASYMMETRY OR WEAKNESS?

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afab118.02 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii5-ii7

Author(s):

V Ho ◽

C Chen ◽

R A Merchant

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Hand Dominance ◽

Perceived Health Status ◽

Cognitive Limitations ◽

Strength Asymmetry ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Handgrip strength (HGS) is increasingly used to estimate overall muscle strength. Association between low HGS and cognitive decline has been well documented. Recently, McGrath’s team elucidated a new dimension of HGS asymmetry with important implications on physical and cognitive limitations. It is unclear if these effects can be generalised. The Asian working group for sarcopenia (AWGS) has called for ‘special considerations’ due to ‘anthropometric and cultural or lifestyle-related differences’6. Hence, we aim to investigate if HGS asymmetry is associated with cognition in Asians. Methodology We defined sarcopenia by AWGS consensus: HGS <28 kg for men; <18 kg for women. Asymmetry was HGS >10% stronger on either hand; relative HGS was HGS adjusted for BMI. Low cognitive function was defined as MMSE<26. We compared weakness alone, any HGS asymmetry or relative HGS alone and combination of weakness and HGS asymmetry or relative HGS asymmetry. Each model was adjusted for demographic characteristics, hand dominance, obesity, frailty, physical activity, depression and perceived health status. Results 738 Asian subjects participated. Mean age 70.8 ± 0.2 years, 45.1% males, 82.5% Chinese. More than 50% have multimorbidity. 5.4% were frail. Mean BMI 24.4 ± 0.1 kg/m2. Mean HGS 22.6 ± 0.3. 93 (12.7%) had symmetrical HGS and not weak, 59 (7.8%) asymmetrical and not weak, 321 (43.6%) symmetrical and weak, 265 (35.9%) asymmetrical and weak. Mean MMSE scores for weakness alone, asymmetry alone and combined weakness and asymmetry are 26.6 ± 0.1, 26.8 ± 0.2 and 26.5 ± 0.2 respectively. HGS asymmetry alone was not associated with better cognitive function OR 0.66 (95%CI: 0.30–1.44). Combined asymmetry and weakness was non-significantly linked to worse cognition OR 2.14 (95%CI: 0.79–5.82). We found relative HGS to be protective for cognitive decline, OR 0.31 (95%CI: 0.12–0.78, p = 0.012). Conclusion Our study highlights the impact of ethnicity in sarcopenia research. Our population shows association of relative HGS with cognition. Further longitudinal studies are needed.

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MUSCLE WEAKNESS IS ASSOCIATED WITH DISABILITY AND CHRONIC MULTIMORBIDITY IN MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER AMERICANS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1155 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S316-S316

Author(s):

Mark Peterson ◽

Jessica Faul

Keyword(s):

Grip Strength ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Older Americans ◽

Men And Women ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Hs Crp

Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to use nationally-representative data on Americans age 50+ to determine the association between grip strength and inflammation as independent predictors of incident disability, chronic multimorbidity and dementia. Methods: Older adults (n=12,618) from the 2006-2008 waves of the Health and Retirement Study with 8-years of follow-up were included. Longitudinal modeling was performed to examine the association between baseline grip strength (normalized to body mass: NGS) and high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (≥3.0 mg/L) with incident physical disabilities (i.e., ≥2 limitations to activities of daily living), chronic multimorbidity (≥2 of chronic conditions), and dementia. Results: The odds of incident disability were 1.28 (95% CI: 1.19-1.37) and 1.27 (95% CI: 1.21-1.36) for men and women respectively, for each 0.05-unit lower NGS. The odds of incident chronic multimorbidity were 1.22 (95% CI: 1.06-1.18) and 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06-1.17) for men and women respectively for each 0.05-unit lower NGS. The odds of incident dementia were 1.10 for men (95% CI: 1.02-1.20) for each 0.05-unit lower NGS, but there was no significant effect for women. Elevated hs-CRP was only associated with chronic multimorbidity among women (OR=1.60; 95%CI: 1.26-2.02). Conclusions: Our findings indicate a robust inverse association between NGS and disability and chronic, multimorbidity in older men and women, and dementia in men. Elevated hs-CRP was only associated with chronic multimorbidity among women. Healthcare providers should implement measures of handgrip strength in routine health assessments and discuss the potential dangers of weakness and interventions to improve strength with their patients.

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Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness May Accelerate Time to Mortality in Aging Americans

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association ◽

10.1016/j.jamda.2020.04.030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (12) ◽

pp. 2003-2007.e1 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ryan McGrath ◽

Grant R. Tomkinson ◽

Dain P. LaRoche ◽

Brenda M. Vincent ◽

Colin W. Bond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Handgrip Strength ◽

Strength Asymmetry

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Daily Protein Intake and Distribution of Daily Protein Consumed Decreases Odds for Functional Disability in Older Americans

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264319881864 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (9) ◽

pp. 1075-1083 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ryan McGrath ◽

Sherri Stastny ◽

Shanon Casperson ◽

Lisa Jahns ◽

James Roemmich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Functional Disability ◽

National Sample ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Protein Distribution ◽

Older Americans ◽

Eating Occasion ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Eating Occasions

Objective: We sought to determine whether daily protein intake and protein distribution across eating occasions were associated with functional disability in a national sample of older Americans. Methods: Data from 8,070 adults aged ≥60 years from the 2007-2016 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. Protein intake and functional capacity was self-reported. A daily protein recommendation of ≥1.0 g/kg/day was utilized. The daily protein recommendation was then spread-out across four meals, whereby a ≥0.25 g/kg/meal threshold was used. Results: Those meeting the daily protein recommendation had 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.65, 0.93]) decreased odds for functional disability. Persons meeting the protein intake threshold per eating occasion for one, two, three, and four occasions had 0.60 (CI = [0.38, 0.95]), 0.48 (CI = [0.30, 0.77]), 0.47 (CI = [0.29, 0.77]), and 0.39 (CI = [0.20, 0.75]) decreased odds for functional disability, respectively. Discussion: Protein consumption seems to be important for preserving function in older Americans.

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Cognitive Impairment and Effects on Upper Body Strength of Adults with Dementia

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.16.1.61 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 61-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sharon D. Rogers ◽

Shannon E. Jarrott

Keyword(s):

Functional Disability ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Strength Loss ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Upper Body ◽

Muscle Strengthening ◽

Physical Activity Interventions ◽

Body Strength ◽

Exploratory Investigation ◽

Upper Body Strength

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association between cognitive ability and upper body muscle strength. Two sources of existing data were pooled for this examination. Thirty-eight older participants diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia (25 women, 13 men; age = 83.2 ± 5.6 years, MMSE score = 16.75 ± 7.04, M ± SD) underwent an assessment of grip strength via handheld dynamometry. Multiple-regression analysis indicated that cognitive status was a significant predictor of strength and, when combined in a model with age and sex, explained 57% of the between-individuals variance in handgrip strength. The findings from this exploratory investigation suggest that dementia is associated with strength loss, a key contributor to functional disability; this further justifies efforts to investigate mechanisms responsible for this decay and to preserve muscle integrity by integrating physical activity interventions, notably, muscle strengthening, into the lifestyle of adults with dementia.

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