Posted on 07/25/2022 10:31:59 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Muscle strength is a powerful predictor of mortality that can quickly and inexpensively be assessed by measuring handgrip strength. In a new study, researchers developed cut-off points that apply to the general population, while also considering the correlation of handgrip strength with gender, body height, and aging to be used in medical practice.
Most people do not give a second thought to doing things like opening pickle jars or carrying groceries, but handgrip strength is an effective screening tool for different health conditions.
The results of the study provide standardized thresholds that directly link handgrip strength to remaining life expectancy, thus enabling practitioners to detect patients with an increased mortality risk early on.
Handgrip strength is measured by squeezing a dynamometer with one hand.
The results show that a handgrip strength that is only slightly below the average of a comparable population (considering a person's sex, age, and body height) is indicative of health conditions leading to earlier death. A stronger handgrip compared to other people of the same age, sex, and body height was not found to reduce the mortality risk.
"Handgrip strength is a cheap and easy to perform test, but it may help with early diagnosis of health problems and other underlying health conditions. Monitoring the handgrip strength of the elderly (and in fact middle-aged people) may provide great benefits for the public health of aging populations. Our findings make it clear that handgrip strength is a very precise and sensitive measure of underlying health conditions," notes Steiber.
"It is important to point out that we are not suggesting that people should train handgrip strength in particular to decrease mortality risks. Most likely, if someone improves their handgrip strength through exercises, there will be no or very little impact on their overall health," Spitzer concludes.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
In sum, if you are weaker than average, you likely have an underlying health problem causing that.
Watch me keel over before I can click “post” lol.
Yep, the arthritis in my hand and wrist is a serious health issue to me.
A limp wrist could suggest a propensity to contract monkeypox.
At 64 I am still the one family turns to opening jars.
It can also signify RA which I have
It’s unpleasant
I womder how carpal tunnel, generally fixable, factors in.
Or cause stove pipe malfunctions.
Same here.
😄😂🤣😆😜
SOME doctors have known this for generations. My GP back in year 2000, classically trained in Scotland in the 1950s, used to test me for grip strength.
I have shaken hands with guys who like to crush your hand just for fun!!
I have to agree I have serious problems with the root nerve in my neck and I had surgery in 2009 to move the ulnar nerves in both elbows for cubital tunnel now my hands are weak I drop things and there’s nothing that can be done. My advice to anyone who’s experiencing this is get help fast because if you ignore it it gets worse and he never recover , I myself waited too long and now I have permanent disability. I spent 30 years as a mechanic
Those are absolutely awesome. Even has a spot for those small drink bottles.
A ‘jar pop’ works wonders on those metal lids like on pickle jars. Once the pressure is off they are easy to remove.
I have been told that a weak limp wrist handshake by men is the secret handshake for being a member in a ‘secret society.
I can’t stand it when a man shakes my hand that way.
There are some excellent articles 9n macular degeneration research listed at the end of this article.
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