Age-associated Rate of Decline of Grip Strength in Adults: NHANES (2011-2014)

Abstract

Objectives

To (1) quantify the age-associated rate of decline in grip strength in adults aged ≥30 years (∆kg/y, ∆kg/5-y, ∆kg/10-y), (2) examine sex differences in the rate of decline, and (3) explore differences in the rate of decline among different racial/ethnic groups.

Design

This is a cross-sectional, observational study.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Observed hand grip strength data for both hands were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 database, comprising 7328 noninstitutionalized participants aged 30-80 years.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The muscle strength/grip test component measured isometric grip strength using a Takei Digital handgrip dynamometer. Best values (best from 3 trials) of the dominant hand were determined. The “Y2-Y1 rate of change” (in kg/y) was the grip strength difference between consecutive observations. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the constant rate of decline.

Results

The decline in handgrip strength varied by sex, with a consistent rate of decline observed as age increased. In male adults, the annual decline rate of the handgrip strength was estimated at 0.353 kg/year, 1.742 kg/5 years, and 3.620 kg/10 years. Conversely, in female adults, the annual decline rate of the handgrip strength was 0.221 kg/year, 1.095 kg/5 years, and 2.243 kg/10 years. Among males, handgrip strength declined 0.353 kg/year for Mexican Americans, 0.358 kg/year for Other Hispanic, 0.377 kg/year for non-Hispanic Whites, and 0.390 kg/year for non-Hispanic Blacks. Similarly, among females, handgrip strength declined at the rate of 0.205 kg/year for Mexican Americans, 0.216 kg/year for Other Hispanic, 0.248 kg/year for non-Hispanic Whites, and 0.244 kg/year for non-Hispanic Blacks.

Conclusions

Grip strength declines at a systematic and predictable rate as the population ages. Here, we estimated the age-associated rate of decline in grip strength.

Disclosures

none.