Grip strength is an indicator of overall health

Grip strength is an indicator of overall wellbeing in an adult, a strong grip is linked to longevity and in many cases is a better indicator of health than many other traditional measurements used. One previous study of half a million people in the UK found that grip strength showed a stronger association with cardiovascular disease than blood pressure (see Improving fitness levels can significantly protect individuals with a genetic predisposition to heart disease rawpt.com). Another study of more than 13,828 people in the US linked weak hand grip strength with poor cognitive functioning in older individuals (see Handgrip strength is associated with poorer cognitive functioning in ageing Americans, from the Department of Health Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University).

Often the first sign that a person’s grip strength is weakening is when a jar lid won’t budge. Strength and muscle loss can impact mobility, increase the risk of falls and slow recovery from illness leading often to the recently recognised medical condition of frailty. Although from the age of 40 adults can lose up to 8% of muscle mass per decade, the good news is that it is not an inevitable result of ageing. It is never too late to reverse the loss of muscle mass and weakness with resistance training.