Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Are Differentially Associated with Functional Limitations in Older Americans

Kyle Collins, Nathaniel Johnson, Lukus Klawitter, Roman Waldera, Sherri Stastny, William J. Kraemer, Bryan Christensen and Ryan McGrath
Additional contact information
Kyle Collins: Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
Nathaniel Johnson: Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
Lukus Klawitter: Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
Roman Waldera: Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
Sherri Stastny: Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
William J. Kraemer: Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Bryan Christensen: Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
Ryan McGrath: Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: aging; geriatrics; muscle strength; muscle strength dynamometer; nutrition surveys (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/9/3231/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/9/3231/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:9:p:3231-:d:354528

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().