Examining the role of different weakness categories for mobility and future falls in older Americans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recently developed absolute and body size normalized handgrip strength (HGS) cut-points could be used individually and collectively to predict mobility problems and falls.

Aims

We examined the associations of (1) each absolute and normalized weakness cut-point, (2) collective weakness categories, and (3) changes in weakness status on future falls in older Americans.

Methods

The analytic sample included 11,675 participants from the 2006-2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Falls were self-reported. Men were classified as weak if their HGS was < 35.5-kg (absolute), < 0.45 kg/kg (body mass normalized), or < 1.05 kg/kg/m² (body mass index normalized). While, women were considered weak if their HGS was < 20.0-kg, < 0.337 kg/kg, or < 0.79 kg/

SUBMITTER: McGrath R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10877671 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature