Relationship Of Handgrip Strength And Asymmetry With Walking Ability In Older Adults With Sarcopenic Obesity

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is the coexistence of excess adiposity with low muscle mass, and impaired strength and physical function. It is associated with functional decline and disability. Handgrip strength (HGS) is used clinically to predict overall muscle strength and mobility. HGS asymmetries have also been associated with adverse outcomes in older adults. PURPOSE: To compare HGS values and asymmetries in males and females with SO and to evaluate their relationships with physical function. METHODS: Baseline data from 85 participants with SO from two previous studies were compiled (63 females, 72.7 + 4.4 yrs, 1.60 + .06 m, 94.8 + 15.6 kg, 37.2 + 5.6 kg·m2; 22 males; 73.8 + 5.3 yrs, 1.76 + .07 m, 111.3 + 17.6 kg, 36.0 + 4.7 kg·m2). Normal gait speed was timed over 5 m, and the distance walked in the Six-Minute Walk Test was recorded. HGS was measured in both hands 3 times with the arm extended at 90° and laid on a flat surface. One maximal value was determined, and participants were categorized as low HGS if <35 and < 21 kg for males and females, respectively. Asymmetry was categorized as a 10% difference in maximal HGS between hands. RESULTS: 50 participants were classified as weak (19.6 + 6.9 kg) and 35 normal (30.2 + 8.8 kg) HGS. There were no significant interactions of sex and HGS category on gait speed (p = 0.52) or total distance walked (p = 0.38), nor were there any main effects of sex (p > 0.05). Gait speed was not different among HGS category (p = 0.14). Total distance walked approached significance as those with low and normal HGS walked 373 + 82 m and 424 + 92 m (p = 0.06), respectively. 42 participants were classified with HGS asymmetry (18.9 + 8.5%) and 43 had symmetric HGS (4.3 + 2.9%). There were no significant interactions of sex and HGS asymmetry on gait speed (p = 0.82) or total distance walked (p = 0.29), nor were there any main effects of sex or asymmetry category (p > 0.05). Maximal HGS was correlated to both gait speed (r = 0.22, p < 0.05) and distance walked (r = 0.40; p < 0.01), but HGS asymmetry was only correlated to gait speed (r = -0.31; p < 0.01) and not distance walked (r = -0.17;p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Since older adults with SO are more likely to be classified as having HGS weakness than asymmetry and HGS is related to both gait speed and distance walked, maximal HGS tests should continue to be used as a screening tool for functional decline and disability. Dr. Batsis was supported by the National Institute on Aging under Award K23AG051681, Dartmouth Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Center Cooperative Agreement U48DP005018 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Dartmouth Clinical and Translational Science Institute