Hand-grip strength among older adults in Singapore: a comparison with international norms and associative factors

BMC Geriatrics

Research Article

Esmond Seow¹  Siow Ann Chong¹  Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar¹  Hui Lin Ong¹  Yunjue Zhang¹  Mythily Subramaniam¹  Edimansyah Abdin¹  Boon Yiang Chua¹ 

[1] Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747, Singapore, Singapore;

关键词: Anthropometry;    Aging;    Hand strength;    Normative values;    Older Adults;    Singapore;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-017-0565-6

 received in 2016-12-22, accepted in 2017-07-25,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHand-grip strength (HGS) serves as a proxy measure for muscle function and physical health. Studies have shown that low HGS is associated with common age-related disorders including frailty and sarcopenia. The aim of the present study was to establish the normative values of HGS among older adults in Singapore and to compare it with data from Western and other Asian countries. The study also aimed to explore the sociodemographic and anthropometric correlates of HGS.MethodsData were collected from 2043 men and women aged 60 years and above who took part in the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study in 2013. HGS was obtained using a Jamar Plus + digital hand dynamometer. Normative data were stratified by; 5-year age groups, sex and ethnicity. Relationships between the HGS with various sociodemographic and anthropometric correlates were examined using multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsThe mean HGS demonstrate a decreasing trend with increased age across all ethnic groups and sexes. HGS among Singapore older adults were relatively low compared to Western and other Asian countries. Males in the youngest age group (60-64) and of Chinese ethnicity attained greater HGS values than their counterparts. When the regression analysis was stratified for sex, significant associations were found between height, upper arm circumference with HGS in the males sample, and between height, weight, waist circumference and HGS in the females sample.ConclusionsOlder adults in Singapore have a relatively weak HGS compared to other countries. Greater height and weight, and smaller waist circumference are independently associated with greater HGS in females but not males. These results facilitate the interpretation of HGS conducting using Jamar digital-type dynamometers among the older adults in Singapore.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017