The recent secular trend in grip strength among older adults: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Abstract

Aim Our aim was to investigate whether there has been a recent secular trend in the grip strength of older English adults, using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Findings We found evidence of a slight decline in mean grip strength between 2004 and 2013. This decline is equivalent to 65-year-olds' mean strength declining to that previously seen in individuals at age 69, and did not appear to be explained by differences in lifestyle risk factors. Message These findings are important since they raise the possibility that more recent cohorts of older people remain at similar, or possibly slightly greater, risk of the adverse consequences of weak muscle strength.

Temporal trends in handgrip strength for older Japanese adults between 1998 and 2017

“…While few studies have examined temporal trends in HGS for older adults, in contrast to our findings, recent trends are mixed, indicating a decline in the HGS of older Canadian [14], English [15], and Central European [16] adults, and an improvement in older Northern and Southern European [16] adults. Surprisingly, declines in HGS for older Canadian [14] and English [15] adults have coincided with increases in body size (i.e., body mass index), suggesting that declines in other factors (e.g., habitual physical activity levels) may be involved. However, the recent decline in mean HGS for older English adults was independent of trends in body size and selfreported physical activity levels, as well as other confounders such as socioeconomic position and smoking history [15].…”

“…Surprisingly, declines in HGS for older Canadian [14] and English [15] adults have coincided with increases in body size (i.e., body mass index), suggesting that declines in other factors (e.g., habitual physical activity levels) may be involved. However, the recent decline in mean HGS for older English adults was independent of trends in body size and selfreported physical activity levels, as well as other confounders such as socioeconomic position and smoking history [15]. Although trends in body size and physical activity levels were not directly examined in this study, it appears as though the improvement in HGS observed in older Japanese adults has, as expected, corresponded to increases in body size and exercise/sport participation [17].…”

“…For example, Shields et al [14] revealed a decline in mean HGS of 1.1 kg, or 1.3-2.2%, per decade from 1981 to 2007-09 for Canadian adults aged 60-69 years. Similarly, Dodds et al [15] reported a decline in mean HGS of 1.4-3.0 kg, 6.1-8.5%, or 0.3 standard deviations, per decade between 2004 and 2013 for 11,476 English adults aged 50-89 years. In another study examining temporal trends in mean HGS for 35,453 Europeans (aged 50-90+ years) between 2004-05 and 2013, Ahrenfeldt et al [16] reported improvements (per decade) in Northern Europe (Denmark and Sweden) of 1.1 kg (3.1%) and in Southern Europe (Italy and Spain) of 1.9 kg (6.1%), and a decline in Central Europe (Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands) of −0.9 kg (−2.5%).…”

“…Temporal trends in physical fitness have largely focused on cardiorespiratory fitness [13], with much less known about temporal trends in muscular strength. Several studies have recently reported on temporal trends in HGS for older adults [14][15][16]. For example, Shields et al [14] revealed a decline in mean HGS of 1.1 kg, or 1.3-2.2%, per decade from 1981 to 2007-09 for Canadian adults aged 60-69 years.…”

Risk Factors for Hospital Admission After a Fall: A Prospective Cohort Study of Community-Dwelling Older People

“…Grip strength: Grip strength is included in cohort studies as a measure of upper body strength and it was tested using a gripometer in all respondents for whom it was safe, for example, those without swelling, pain, or recent injury. Three values were recorded for each hand, using a Smedley dynamometer in a standing position, starting with the nondominant hand and alternating between hands and the maximum value for the dominant hand was used in the analysis (19,20).…”