Factors Related with Hand Grip Strength in Korean Elderly

Sex-Associated Differences in the Handgrip Strength of Elderly Individuals

“…According to the simple difference test, the drinking rate among elderly men was higher than that among normal-strength men, although the difference was ultimately not significant. Previous studies that examined the relationship between drinking and grip strength have not shown consistent results (Bai et al, 2016; Kim, Kim, & Yu, 2014; Oh et al, 2017). Alcohol consumption appears to play a protective role against aging-related muscle strength loss after adjusting for confounding factors; however, this may also be explained by the absence of chronic illness, good health status, or good economic status of those who drink alcohol.…”

“…Weakened handgrip limits the ability of elderly individuals to perform physical activities, which can increase the risk of falling, weakness, and metabolic disorders (Tanimoto et al, 2013). It also results in decreased activity levels that can negatively affect functional health (Jakobsen, Rask, & Kondrup, 2010; Oh et al, 2017); interferes with various activities of daily living, causing a decline in the quality of life (QoL; Shiozu et al, 2015; Stessman, Rottenberg, Fischer, Hammerman-Rozenberg, & Jacobs, 2017); and has a negative effect on psychological health, resulting in poor subjective well-being and exacerbated depressive symptoms (HongSon et al, 2010; Jakobsen et al, 2010). As such, handgrip strength in elderly individuals is an important indicator of individual health status.…”

“…Factors reportedly related to low handgrip strength include old age, female sex, low level of education, unemployment, alcohol consumption, cognitive impairment, depression, low level of daily living activities, and poor health status (Kawamoto, Ninomiya, Senzaki, & Kumagi, 2018; Oh et al, 2017; Shiozu et al, 2015). In addition, factors associated with muscle strength, such as education level, health status, body size, and physical activity, are more likely to negatively affect women and the elderly compared with men and younger individuals, respectively (Bai et al, 2016; HongSon et al, 2010; Jakobsen et al, 2010; Oh et al, 2017; Oksuzyan, Maier, Mcgue, Vaupel, & Christensen, 2010). Loss of muscle mass in elderly individuals shows sex-based differences in both onset and prevalence (Sternäng et al, 2015; Tanimoto et al, 2013).…”

“…Aging is an important psychological and clinical phenomenon as it is accompanied by an overall decline in physical function, resulting in reduced muscle mass and fitness (HongSon, Lee, Park, & Oh, 2010; Shiozu, Higashijima, & Koga, 2015). Decreased muscle mass is accompanied by loss of muscle strength and can therefore be considered a silent physical degenerative process that interferes with the physical activities of elderly individuals and threatens their independent living; this can increase health care costs and lead to a shorter life expectancy (Oh et al, 2017; Prado, Wells, Smith, Stephan, & Siervo, 2012). Measurement of handgrip strength is a straightforward and cost-effective method for measuring changes in muscle strength; hence, it is commonly used in large-scale studies of elderly individuals (Cruz-Jentoft et al, 2010).…”

Handgrip strength, depression, and all-cause mortality in Korean older adults

“…For example, recent population-based studies showed that low HGS was significantly associated with increased risk of new-onset cognitive dysfunction [16], increased 10-year cardiovascular risk [17], and impaired status of health-related quality of life [18]. Using the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI), Lee et al [19] showed that low HGS was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression in Korean adults aged 18–80 years.…”