From the Guidelines
Hand grip strength is a reliable and significant marker for longevity, with stronger grips associated with lower odds of adverse events, hospitalization, and mortality, as evidenced by a recent study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity 1.
Importance of Hand Grip Strength
This simple measurement reflects overall muscle strength and serves as a window into broader physical function and health status.
- Higher handgrip strength is associated with lower odds of adverse events in most of the intrinsic capacity domains, and with a lower rate of hospitalisation compared with their peers with a weaker handgrip after adjustment for other factors 1.
- Hand grip strength has been used to assess muscle strength in various clinical settings, including in patients with kidney disease, where it has been shown to correlate with the number of comorbidities and the malnutrition inflammation score 1.
Measuring and Improving Grip Strength
To measure grip strength, use a hand dynamometer, squeezing as hard as possible for 3-5 seconds, typically performing three trials with each hand and taking the average.
- Normal values vary by age, sex, and body size, but generally, men should aim for at least 30-40 kg and women 20-30 kg.
- Declining grip strength may signal accelerated aging or underlying health issues, and has been associated with an increased risk of death in hospitalized patients with kidney disease 1.
Clinical Implications
To improve grip strength, incorporate regular resistance training focusing on both grip-specific exercises and full-body strength training 2-3 times weekly.
- This approach not only potentially extends lifespan but enhances quality of life by maintaining functional independence longer.
- The relationship between grip strength and longevity likely stems from muscle's role as an endocrine organ affecting metabolism, inflammation, and overall physical resilience, highlighting the importance of maintaining muscle strength and function throughout life 1.
From the Research
Hand Grip Strength as a Marker for Longevity
- Hand grip strength (HGS) is a fundamental metric in assessing muscle function and overall physical capability, particularly relevant to the ageing population 2, 3, 4.
- HGS has been reported to indicate the health of an individual and is associated with various health parameters, including morbidity and mortality 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Low HGS is correlated with several diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney and liver disease, some cancers, sarcopenia, and fragility fractures 2, 3, 4.
- HGS is also associated with increased hospitalization, poor nutritional status, overall mortality, and reduced quality of life 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Measurement and Utility of Hand Grip Strength
- HGS can be measured reliably with a hand-held dynamometer, with cut-off values varying across different populations 2.
- The utility of HGS extends to the identification of diverse health issues and its potential as a new vital sign throughout the lifespan 2, 3, 4.
- HGS has been proposed as a biomarker for older adults, explaining concurrent overall strength, upper limb function, bone mineral density, fractures, falls, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, depression, sleep problems, diabetes, multimorbidity, and quality of life 4.
Correlation with Health-Related Quality of Life
- There is a significant correlation between HGS and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults, with lower HGS values associated with poorer HRQoL 5.
- Maintaining HGS may contribute to improving HRQoL and can add an imperative dimension to promote aging-well in older adults 5.
Predictive Value of Hand Grip Strength
- HGS has been shown to predict future outcomes in aging adults, including mortality, disability, and increased risk of complications or prolonged length of stay after hospitalization or surgery 6.
- Dynamometrically measured grip strength should be considered as a vital sign useful for screening middle-aged and older adults due to its predictive validity and simplicity 6.