Grip strength is important in the performance of nearly all activities of daily living as it allows individuals to maintain fuuctional independence. The purpose of this study was to examine grip strength in individuals 60 years of age and older. Forty-eight healthy subjects (24 men and 24 women) between the ages of 61 and 85 participated in this study. A Jamar Adjustable Handle Dynamometer was used to measure grip strength of the right (dominant) hand and the left (non-dominant) hand while subjects were seated in the recommended test position by the American Society of Hand Therapists. The additional variables of age, height, weight and walking time were analwed in addition to a i o strenmh. Results showed-that the dominant hand of both m& b d woken was statistically significantly stronger than the non-dominant hand. The older eld&ly lhad less $p sn%ngth than the younger elderly. This study suggests that men lose a greater percentage of grip strength as they age and that the decline in grip strength for both men and women may be greater than previously documented. [Ar-Ira M. Fiebert is Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Miami, Division of Physical Therapy, 5915 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 5th Floor, Coral Gables, FL 33146. Kathrm E. Roach is Assistant Professor. Universitv of Miami. Division of Physical rhe;apy. Tma Armstrong is Director of clinical Services, Physical Therapy Insti~te, Inc.. 16244 South Military Trail, D e h v Beach. FL 33484. David W. ande el is a .Graduate Student, ~nive&ty of .Miami; ~ivision of Physical Thera-' py. Mary
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