Background Evaluating handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry may help to improve the prognostic value of HGS. This study sought to determine the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on future activities of daily living (ADL) disability in a national sample of aging Americans. Methods The analytic sample included 18,468 Americans aged ≥50 years from the 2006–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. A handgrip dynamometer measured HGS. Those with HGS >10% stronger on either hand were considered as having any HGS asymmetry. Individuals with HGS >10% stronger on their dominant hand were considered as having dominant HGS asymmetry, while those with HGS >10% stronger on their nondominant hand were classified as having nondominant HGS asymmetry. Men with HGS <26 kg and women with HGS <16 kg were considered weak. ADLs were self-reported. Generalized estimating equations were used for analyses. Results Relative to those with symmetric HGS and no weakness, each HGS asymmetry and weakness group had increased odds for future ADL disability: 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.20) for any HGS asymmetry alone, 1.42 (CI: 1.16–1.74) for weakness alone, and 1.81 (CI: 1.52–2.16) for both any HGS asymmetry and weakness. Most weakness and HGS asymmetry dominance groups had increased odds for future ADL disability: 1.30 (CI: 1.13–1.50) for nondominant HGS asymmetry alone, 1.42 (CI: 1.16–1.74) for weakness alone, 1.72 (CI: 1.29–2.29) for both weakness and nondominant HGS asymmetry, and 1.86 (CI: 1.52–2.28) for both weakness and dominant HGS asymmetry. Conclusions HGS asymmetry and weakness together may increase the predictive utility of handgrip dynamometers.

No abstract

This investigation sought to determine the associations between handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetries and limitations in individual activities of daily living (ADL). The analytic sample included 18,468 participants from the 2006 to 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Those with HGS >10% stronger on either hand had any HGS asymmetry. Individuals with HGS >10% stronger on their dominant or non-dominant hand had dominant or non-dominant HGS asymmetry, respectively. ADL abilities were self-reported. Those with any HGS asymmetry had 1.21 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.01–1.46]) greater odds for a toileting limitation and 1.25 (CI = [1.03–1.52]) greater odds for a transferring limitation. Individuals with dominant HGS asymmetry had 1.24 (CI = [1.01–1.53]) greater odds for a transferring limitation. Those with non-dominant HGS asymmetry had 1.39 (CI = [1.01–1.93]) and 1.44 (CI = [1.05–1.96]) greater odds for a bathing and toileting limitation, respectively. HGS asymmetries could help to identify future limitations in specific ADLs.

Identifying strength asymmetries in physically deconditioned populations may help in screening and treating persons at risk for morbidities linked to muscle dysfunction. Our investigation sought to examine the associations between handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry and weakness on accumulating morbidities in aging Americans. The analytic sample included 18,506 Americans aged $50 years from the 2006-2016 Health and Retirement Study. Handgrip strength was measured on each hand with a handgrip dynamometer, and persons with an imbalance in strength .10% between hands had HGS asymmetry. Men with HGS ,26 kg and women with HGS ,16 kg were considered as weak. Subjects reported the presence of healthcare provider-diagnosed morbidities: hypertension, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, arthritis, and psychiatric problems. Covariate-adjusted ordinal generalized estimating equations analyzed the associations for each HGS asymmetry and weakness group on future accumulating morbidities. Of those included in our study, subjects at baseline were aged 65.0 6 10.2 years, 9,570 (51.7%) had asymmetric HGS, and 996 (5.4%) were weak. Asymmetry alone and weakness alone were associated with 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.14) and 1.27 (CI: 1.11-1.45) greater odds for future accumulating morbidities, respectively. Having both HGS asymmetry and weakness was associated with 1.46 (CI: 1.29-1.65) greater odds for future accumulating morbidities. Handgrip-strength asymmetry, as another potential indicator of impaired muscle function, is associated with future morbidity status during aging. Exercise professionals and related practitioners should consider examining asymmetry and weakness with handgrip dynamometers as a simple and noninvasive screening method for helping to determine muscle dysfunction and future chronic disease risk.

No abstract