We tend to take our handgrip strength for granted. It is an indication of our general muscle strength, necessary for many of the functions we perform daily - opening bottles, turning handles, lifting and carrying objects, grasping a steering wheel, etc. As we get older, both grip and overall muscle strength decline.

Research has shown that the weaker your grip, the greater the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. A study carried out in 17 countries that included 139,691 adults between the ages of 35 and 70 found that a five-kilogram decline in grip strength is linked to a 17 per cent increased risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke over a four-year period. Grip strength was determined with a hand dynamometer, a device that measures the force used to squeeze two handles together. The researchers suggested that stronger grips signal more muscle mass, which is associated with increased activity and better health.

Evidence from another study including more than 20,000 seniors indicated that weak grip strength in men age 65 and older predicts lack of mobility.

And recent research from Korea found that handgrip strength among 1,773 women was associated with their lung capacity. The researchers suggested that testing seniors’ handgrip strength could be an inexpensive and simple way to determine the risk of future lung problems. They noted that losing muscle strength with age could undermine lung function, increasing the risk of bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory conditions, as well as heart disease.

If you’re concerned about your grip strength, consider how well you perform daily chores using your hands. Can you lift a pot off the stove easily? Do you have any problems opening jars or turning doorknobs? While there’s no evidence that increasing grip strength will improve overall health, you can find grip-strengthening exercises online.

Feel free to contact Gansbaai Pharmacy for more information.

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