Bidirectional association between grip strength and cognitive function in Chinese older adults: a nationwide cohort study

This study provides new evidence for the longitudinal bidirectional relationship between grip strength, global cognitive function, mental intactness, and episodic memory in the Chinese elderly population, emphasizing the importance of improving both grip strength and cognitive function. Notably, baseline grip strength has a stronger effect on subsequent episodic memory than the reverse pathway, which carries important public health implications. Maintaining optimal grip strength may be an effective intervention strategy to delay age-related cognitive decline.