Comparison of quadriceps strength and handgrip strength in their association with health outcomes in older adults in primary care

Abstract

Sarcopenia is thought to play a major role in the functional impairment that occurs with old age. In clinical practice, sarcopenia is often determined by measuring handgrip strength. Here, we compared the lower limb quadriceps strength to the handgrip strength in their association with health outcomes in older adults in primary care. Our study population consisted of older adults (n=764, 68.2 % women, median age 83) that participated in the Integrated Systemic Care for Older People (ISCOPE) study. Participants were visited at baseline to measure quadriceps strength and handgrip strength. Data on health outcomes were obtained at baseline and after 12 months (including life satisfaction, disability in daily living, GP contact-time and hospitalization). Quadriceps strength and handgrip strength showed a weak association (β=0.42 [95 % CI 0.33-0.50]; R 2 =0.17). Quadriceps strength and handgrip strength were independently associated with health outcomes at baseline, including quality of life, disability in daily living, GP contact-time, hospitalization, and gait speed. Combined weakness of the quadriceps and handgrip distinguished a most vulnerable subpopulation that presented with the poorest health outcomes. At followup, handgrip strength showed an association with quality of life (β=0.05; P=0.002) and disability in daily living (β=−0.5; P=0.004). Quadriceps weakness did not further contribute to the prediction of the measured health outcomes. We conclude that quadriceps strength is only moderately associated with handgrip strength in an older population and that the combination of quadriceps strength and handgrip strength measurements may aid in the identification of older adults in primary care with the poorest health outcomes. In the prediction of poor health outcomes, quadriceps strength measurements do not show an added value to the handgrip strength.

Associations between daily physical activity, handgrip strength, muscle mass, physical performance and quality of life in prefrail and frail community-dwelling older adults

“…The correlation between handgrip strength and QoL is in accordance with other studies [6, 32, 33]. As handgrip strength is an overall measurement of body strength in older adults [34, 35], our results indicate that muscle strength is an important factor for QoL, whereas muscle mass is not.…”

Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors on Physical Function in Elderly Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Older people with slow gait speed have been found to be at an increased risk of subsequent disability, falls, cognitive decline, hospitalization, and mortality, as well as stroke and heart failure [47][48][49][50]. Grip strength has been recommended as the most practical method of measuring muscle strength which can predict the measured health outcomes while quadriceps strength can not [51]. Grip strength showed an association with quality of life, disability, mortality, hospitalization [51][52][53].…”

“…Grip strength has been recommended as the most practical method of measuring muscle strength which can predict the measured health outcomes while quadriceps strength can not [51]. Grip strength showed an association with quality of life, disability, mortality, hospitalization [51][52][53]. Many studies have shown that ACEIs have favorable effect on physical function.…”

Effects of short-term Nordic walking training on sarcopenia-related parameters in women with low bone mass: a preliminary study

“…Chan et al reported that quadriceps strength and handgrip strength (HS) were independently associated with health outcomes at baseline, including quality of life, disability in daily living, hospitalization, and gait speed 23. The measurements could also aid in the identification of older adults in primary care with the poorest health outcomes.…”