Handgrip strength and its association with noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors among elderly individuals in Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is indicative of overall physical health among older people. A reduction in HGS may be associated with an increased risk of disease. This study aims to assess the association between HGS and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the related risk factors.Methods: One thousand two hundred four (1204) participants from four areas in Selangor state, Malaysia, were recruited. A comprehensive face-to-face interview based on the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES-BM) questionnaire was administered, followed by HGS assessments by a handgrip dynamometer.Results: The mean age of the participants was 68.7 (SD 6.36) years. A total of 691 participants (57.4%) were male, and 513 (42.6%) were female. The mean HGS was 30.0 (SD 7.53) kg for men and 19.4 (SD 5.28) kg for women. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that factors associated with HGS among elderly males were age group, employment status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, moderate physical activity, BMI class, diabetes mellitus and self-rated health status. For females, the significant factors were age group, moderate and light physical activity, and BMI class.Conclusions: The study contributed to a better understanding of factors associated with HGS among elderly individuals in Malaysia. Consequently, HGS may be recommended as an assessment for identifying elderly individuals at risk of NCDs and poor health status.Trial RegistrationNot applicable

A Study on the Correlation Between Hand Grip and Age Using Statistical and Machine Learning Analysis

“…In Malaysia, other researchers conducted a study among the elderly to assess the association between HGS and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the related risk factors [16]. This study revealed that the amount of HGS levels fell dramatically as a person grew older and was higher in males.…”