Relationships between hand grip strength and gait parameters measured using a foot-mounted sensor in non-laboratory settings in older women

Muscle weakness is a significant concern in older women, as it increases the risk of falls and fractures. To develop practical tools for early detection, it is important to understand how hand grip strength relates to gait parameters in non-laboratory settings. This study examined the relationship between hand grip strength and gait characteristics in older women, using a foot-mounted sensor during natural walking. Publicly available data from 55 women aged > 70 years were analyzed. Each woman wore an inertial measurement unit attached to their shoe and completed a 30-min walking task. Hand grip strength was used as a general indicator of muscle strength. The mean and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated for 18 gait parameters, including spatiotemporal parameters and foot pitch angles. Hand grip strength showed significant correlations with several mean gait parameters, including the percentage of the stance phase (r = -0.57) and the timing of the minimum foot pitch angle (r = -0.59). While hand grip strength was significantly correlated with the CV of several gait parameters, the strongest r value was -0.34. These findings suggest that mean gait parameters may better reflect hand grip strength than their CV.