Relation Between Relative Handgrip Strength, Chronological Age and Physiological Age with Lower Functional Capacity in Older Women

• Published in: Open access journal of sports medicine Vol. 10; pp. 185 - 190
• Main Authors: Souza Saraiva, Wylker, Prestes, Jonato, Schwerz Funghetto, Silvana, Navalta, James Wilfred, Tibana, Ramires Alsamir, da Cunha Nascimento, Dahan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Taylor & Francis Ltd 01-01-2019; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Age; Aging; Algorithms; biological age; Biomarkers; Blood pressure; Body fat; Body mass index; Cardiovascular disease; chronological age; Diabetes; Exercise; Falls; Family medical history; Fitness equipment; functional capacity; Heart rate; Metabolism; Mobility; Mortality; muscle strength; older; Older people; Original Research; Physical fitness; Physiology; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Stroke; Womens health; muscle strength; older; functional capacity; chronological age; biological age
• ISSN: 1179-1543; 1179-1543
• DOI: 10.2147/OAJSM.S227720

Relative handgrip strength (RHGS), Aged Based on Exercise Stress Testing (A-BEST), and chronological age were evaluated as predictors of impaired mobility in older women.
Participants included 88 older women (mean age 68.13±6.02 years) referred for exercise stress testing. Estimated physiological age was computed based on exercise capacity, chronotropic reserve index, heart rate recovery, and medication that could affect heart rate. RHGS was measured using a validated handgrip hydraulic dynamometer and mobility was evaluated by timed up and go test (TUG-test). A hierarchical multiple regression predicted TUG-test performance from A-BEST, chronological age and RHGS.
After adjustment for diabetes, RHGS was the only variable to add significantly to the prediction model (p=0.001). An increase in RHGS of 1 kg/body mass index was associated with a decrease in TUG-test of 0.7 seconds.
Relative handgrip strength test was a better predictor of impaired mobility when compared with chronological and physiological age in older women. Moreover, RHGS represents an inexpensive, simple, portable, noninvasive measurement for a clinician when compared with an exercise stress testing.