Effects of Exercise Training on Handgrip Strength in Older Adults: A Meta-Analytical Review

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Handgrip strength measurements are feasible with older adults and a reliable indicator for vitality, physical function, and several risk factors in the ageing process. Interventions with exercise training induce a variety of strength, balance, and endurance improvements. The pooled transfer effects of exercise training on handgrip strength has not been investigated to date. Thus, the objective of this meta-analytical review is to examine the effects of different exercise training on handgrip strength in healthy community-dwelling older adults of 60 years or older. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The literature search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) using the following search terms with Boolean conjunctions: (hand grip* OR grip strength OR grip power) AND (sport* OR train* OR exercis* OR strength OR intervention OR endurance OR resistance OR balance OR aerob*) AND (old* OR elder* OR senior*). Non-randomized and randomized controlled trials with an exercise training and handgrip strength as the outcome parameter were screened. Study quality was independently assessed by two researchers using the PEDro scale. Comparison of handgrip strength between the intervention and control groups was conducted by using the hedges g (including adjustment for small sample sizes), calculating standardized mean differences (SMDs). A random effects inverse-variance model was applied for statistical analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Twenty-four trials (mean PEDro score 5.8 ± 0.9) with a total of 3,018 participants (mean age 73.3 ± 6.0 years) were included. Small but significant effects (<i>p</i> < 0.001) on handgrip strength were observed (SMD 0.28, 95% CI 0.13–0.44). Study heterogeneity (<i>I</i><sup>2</sup> 56%) and the funnel shape for publication bias analyses were acceptable. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Meaningful but small transfer effects of a multitude of different training approaches on handgrip strength occurred in healthy community-dwelling older adults. Handgrip strength cannot clearly be recommended to assess general functional performance for all kinds of exercise programs, whereas task-specific training and multimodal training modes seem to provide an appropriate stimulus to also improve handgrip strength.

The relationship between smartphone usage duration (using smartphone’s ability to monitor screen time) with hand-grip and pinch-grip strength among young people: an observational study

“…Majority of the previous studies did not find a significant impact of these factors over the hand muscles' measurement. This is perhaps due to the lack of studies investigating the effect of exercise or physical activity on hand muscles [24]. Inclusion of these factors as variables in the current study with no doubt would give more details about the contributing factors to hand-grip and pinch-grip measurement in the present sample.…”

Cortical hemodynamics as a function of handgrip strength and cognitive performance: a cross-sectional fNIRS study in younger adults

“…Whether a training-induced increase in (handgrip) strength of younger adults can improve brain health remains speculative because the majority of the available studies in this field of research has focused on older adults [1][2][3]. By saying that, there is also some evidence available suggesting that training interventions have a limited ability to change measures of handgrip strength in adults [114,115] although this finding is not universal [116]. Moreover, it is hypothesized that baseline values of (handgrip) strength (e.g., obtained prior to a resistance training) might be a more appropriate indicator regarding healthrelated outcomes as compared to training-induced changes [117,118].…”

Analysis of grip strength and somatotype features of armwrestling athletes of different skill levels

“…Handgrip strength is used in many sports as a measure criterion of athlete training. There is data on the information content of this indicator for the analysis of the condition of handball athletes [1,2], water polo [3,4], football [5], lacrosse [6], kettlebell lifting [7]. This indicator is one of the main criteria for strength development [8].…”

“…It is proposed to use the handgrip strength in a set of indicators for monitoring and selection. A review by Labott et al [6] is estimated the possibility of using handgrip strength as an indicator of vitality, physical function, and many risk factors in the aging process. The authors consider it appropriate to use the handgrip strength as an indicator of the effectiveness of specialized training programs.…”