2016, Volume 8, Issue 3

Relationship between age and handgrip strength indexes in elderly women with low bone mass. Preliminary study

Zbigniew Ossowski¹, Krzysztof Prusik¹, Jakub Kortas¹, Monika Wiech¹, Łukasz Bielawa¹, Katarzyna Prusik<sup>1

1</sup>Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport


Author for correspondence: Zbigniew Ossowski; Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport; email: zbigniew.ossowski[at]awf.gda.pl

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Abstract

Background: The aim of this preliminary study was to characterize handgrip strength indexes in elderly women with low bone mass and determine their relationship with age.
Material/Methods: The study sample consisted of 63 postmenopausal women with osteopenia and ostoporosis, aged 60-74. The subjects were divided into three age groups: 60-64 years, 65-69 years and 70-74 years. To perform this study two handgrip strength indexes were used: handgrip strength on body weight (HS/weight) and handgrip strength on body mass index (HS/BMI). Handgrip strength was measured with Jamar hand dynamometer.
Results: These studies revealed a significant decrease in handgrip strength indexes between age groups: 60-64 years and 70-74 years. As for the average HS/weight, it was registered: 0.38 ±0.07 kg for the group 60-64 years, 0.33 ±0.06 kg for the group 65-69 years and 0.32
±0.05 kg for group 70-44 years. The results of the average HS/BMI in three groups were as
follows: 0.99 ±0.24 kg/kg/m2, 0.86 ±0.19 kg/kg/m2 and 0.8 ±0.16 kg/kg/m2, respectively.
Conclusions: Handgrip strength indexes in elderly women with low bone mass are gradually decreasing with age. Thus, handgrip strength indexes could provide a convenient tool for clinicians to set goals and to monitor the training progress in women with osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Key words: handgrip, strength index, elderly women, low bone mass