Relation Between Relative Handgrip Strength, Chronological Age and Physiological Age with Lower Functional Capacity in Older Women

Abstract

Wylker Souza Saraiva,1 Jonato Prestes,1 Silvana Schwerz Funghetto,2 James Wilfred Navalta,3 Ramires Alsamir Tibana,1 Dahan da Cunha Nascimento1,4 1Department of Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), Brasilia, Brazil; 2Department of Nursing, University of Brasilia (UNB), Brasilia, Brazil; 3Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA; 4Department of Physical Education, Center University of Distrito Federal (UDF), Brasilia, BrazilCorrespondence: Dahan da Cunha NascimentoPrograma de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Educação Física, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Q.S. 07, Lote 01, EPTC – Bloco G, Distrito Federal, Brasilia 71966-700, BrazilTel/Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Relative handgrip strength (RHGS), Aged Based on Exercise Stress Testing (A-BEST), and chronological age were evaluated as predictors of impaired mobility in older women.Methods: Participants included 88 older women (mean age 68.13±6.02 years) referred for exercise stress testing. Estimated physiological age was computed based on exercise capacity, chronotropic reserve index, heart rate recovery, and medication that could affect heart rate. RHGS was measured using a validated handgrip hydraulic dynamometer and mobility was evaluated by timed up and go test (TUG-test). A hierarchical multiple regression predicted TUG-test performance from A-BEST, chronological age and RHGS.Results: After adjustment for diabetes, RHGS was the only variable to add significantly to the prediction model (p=0.001). An increase in RHGS of 1 kg/body mass index was associated with a decrease in TUG-test of 0.7 seconds.Conclusion: Relative handgrip strength test was a better predictor of impaired mobility when compared with chronological and physiological age in older women. Moreover, RHGS represents an inexpensive, simple, portable, noninvasive measurement for a clinician when compared with an exercise stress testing.Keywords: muscle strength, biological age, chronological age, older, functional capacity

Keywords

• muscle strength
• biological age
• chronological age
• older
• functional capacity.