Low hand grip strength as a marker of poor mobility and falls in older women — ASN Events
  1. Schedule
  2. Welcome Reception & ANZBMS Plenary Posters
  3. Low hand grip strength as a marker of poor mobility and falls in older women

Low hand grip strength as a marker of poor mobility and falls in older women (#117)

Sophia X Sui 1 , Kara L Holloway 1 , Monica C Tembo 1 , Lana J Williams 1 , Sarah Leach 2 , Julie A Pasco 1 3
  1. Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
  2. GMHBA, 2Geelong Medical and Hospital Benefits Association (GMHBA), Geelong, Vic, Australia
  3. St Albans, The university of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia

BACKGROUND: Hand grip strength (HGS) is commonly used as a measure of muscle strength and low HGS is a characteristic of sarcopenia and frailty. We aimed to investigate associations between HGS, mobility and falls in older women.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilised data from 208 women aged 60-94 years (median 70.0, IQR 64.8-75.1) who were assessed as part of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. HGS was measured twice for each hand using a dynamometer (Jamar) and the mean of the maximum for each hand was used as HGS. Low HGS corresponded to T-score< -1. Weight and height were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated (kg/m2). The timed up-and-go (TUG) was performed as a test of mobility that involves both static and dynamic balance. Poor mobility was identified as TUG>10s over 3 meters. Falls over the previous 12-months were self-reported. Associations between low HGS, poor mobility and falls were explored using binary logistic regression models.

RESULTS: There were 48 (23.1%) women with low HGS, 59 (28.4%) with poor mobility and 54 (26.0%) who reported at least one fall. Mean HGS (21.2±5.7 kg) was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.42, p<0.001) and positively with BMI (r=0.10, p=0.1). Low HGS was associated with poor mobility (OR 6.61, 95%CI 3.28-13.34) and an increased likelihood of a fall (OR 4.33, 95%CI 2.17-8.65); these associations persisted after adjusting for age and BMI.

COCLUSIONS: We report that low HGS was associated with both poor mobility and falls. Low HGS might be useful, not only as a measure of poor muscle strength, but also as a marker for poor muscle performance, characterised by high TUG and falls.