Strong or Weak Handgrip? Normative Reference Values for the German Population across the Life Course Stratified by Sex, Age, and Body Height

Abstract

Handgrip strength is an important biomarker of healthy ageing and a powerful predictor of future morbidity and mortality both in younger and older populations. Therefore, the measurement of handgrip strength is increasingly used as a simple but efficient screening tool for health vulnerability. This study presents normative reference values for handgrip strength in Germany for use in research and clinical practice. It is the first study to provide normative data across the life course that is stratified by sex, age, and body height. The study used a nationally representative sample of test participants ages 17–90. It was based on pooled data from five waves of the German Socio-Economic Panel (2006–2014) and involved a total of 11,790 persons living in Germany (providing 25,285 observations). Handgrip strength was measured with a Smedley dynamometer. Results showed that peak mean values of handgrip strength are reached in men’s and women’s 30s and 40s after which handgrip strength declines in linear fashion with age. Following published recommendations, the study used a cut-off at 2 SD below the sex-specific peak mean value across the life course to define a ‘weak grip’. Less than 10% of women and men aged 65–69 were classified as weak according to this definition, shares increasing to about half of the population aged 80–90. Based on survival analysis that linked handgrip strength to a relevant outcome, however, a ‘critically weak grip’ that warrants further examination was estimated to commence already at 1 SD below the group-specific mean value.

Handgrip strength is associated with suicidal thoughts in men: Cross‐sectional analyses from NHANES

“…The present analyses used maximum value of the dominant hand as the exposure variable. 26 Combined grip strength (the sum of the largest reading from each hand) or average values were further included in sensitivity analyses.…”

Activin subfamily peptides predict chronological age in humans

“…; Mitchell et al. ; Steiber ). At its extreme, sarcopenia is seen in 5–13% of people between 60 and 70 years of age, which increased to 50% of those >80 years of age (Metter et al.…”

“…The aging process is inherent to the human condition, and involves a loss of muscle mass, muscle function, and a generalized increase in frailty. Loss of muscle mass and function occurs at a predictable rate throughout adulthood, with evidence of muscle mass loss from 30 years of age (Kallman et al 1990;Mitchell et al 2012;Steiber 2016). At its extreme, sarcopenia is seen in 5-13% of people between 60 and 70 years of age, which increased to 50% of those >80 years of age (Metter et al 2002).…”

Fadiga dos músculos extensores do punho diminui a força de preensão palmar

“…With the same goal, Araujo et al 15 conducted a populational study of pinch strength with pinch gauge™ dynamometer and concluded that the strength of lateral pinch in the male gender presents an average of 9.9±1.9 kgf and 6.7±1.4 kgf in the female gender. Studies related to normative data for grip and pinch are presented in different countries and serve as a reference in clinical practice in order to compare possible changes of grip strength and pinch, arising from different lesions of the upper limb 6,16 . Tang et al 17 describe that changes in biomechanical parameters of the wrist can be an important cause of diseases and dysfunctions.…”