Association of the cognition with grip strength and functional clinical tests in community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Objective: Explore the association of cognitive decline with handgrip strength and performance in clinical functional tests of Brazilian older adults living in the community. Methodology: Cross-sectional study community-dwelling, 101 community-dwelling older adults (45 men and 56 woman) aged 60 years or older with no mobility limitation. Cross-sectional study involving 101 individuals (45 men and 56 woman) aged 60 years or older with no mobility limitation. Cognition was assessed by the 10-point Cognitive Screener (10-CS). Grip strength was assessed using a manual dynamometer. Functional performance was assessed using gait speed (single and double task) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (single and double task). Results: A significant positive association was found between cognition and handgrip strength, gait speed (single and double task), TUG (single and double task), maintaining the association even after adjustments for confounding variables. Conclusion: Decline in cognitive function is associated with low handgrip strength and worse performance in clinical tests of gait speed and TUG with a single and dual task. Prevention of cognitive decline is an important modifiable condition that must be addressed in clinical practice through cognitive-motor training to prevent functional loss and promote healthy aging.