Lexicon
Grip Strength
Definition
Grip strength has been proposed as a biomarker that is largely consistent as an explanator of concurrent overall strength, upper limb function, bone mineral density, fractures, falls, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, and quality of life. [1] It is a key component of the sarcopenia and frailty phenotypes, yet how individual measurements should be interpreted has been unclear. [2] Grip strength serves as a fundamental metric in assessing muscle function and overall physical capability and has been proposed as a new vital sign of health throughout the lifespan. [3]
How it works
Grip strength is recommended as a good simple measure of muscle strength within the clinical definition of sarcopenia, which is based on low muscle mass and reduced muscle function. [4] There is a predictive link between grip strength and all-cause and disease-specific mortality, future function, fractures, cognition, and problems associated with hospitalization. [1] Grip strength follows a life-course pattern of increase to a peak in early adult life, maintenance through midlife, and decline from midlife onwards. [2]
Connected concepts
How it's measured
Grip strength can be measured reliably with a hand-held dynamometer, with the Jamar hand dynamometer being the most widely used instrument with established test-retest, inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. [4] [3] There is considerable variation in current methods of assessing grip strength, including choice of equipment, number of attempts, and hand used, which makes comparison between studies difficult and calls for a standardised method. [4] Cut-off values differ across populations and are lower in Asians and in women. [3]
What levels mean
In a German sarcopenia review, reduced muscle strength is defined by hand-grip strength reference values of under 16 kg in women and under 27 kg in men, and the demonstration of reduced muscle strength is sufficient to initiate treatment. [5] The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 defines low muscle strength as handgrip strength under 28 kg for men and under 18 kg for women.
Community knowledge
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- 1.Bohannon RW. Grip Strength: An Indispensable Biomarker For Older Adults. Clin Interv Aging · 2019
- 2.Dodds RM, Syddall HE, Cooper R, Benzeval M, Deary IJ, Dennison EM, Der G, Gale CR. Grip strength across the life course: normative data from twelve British studies. PLoS One · 2014
- 3.Vaishya R, Misra A, Vaish A, Ursino N, D'Ambrosi R. Hand grip strength as a proposed new vital sign of health: a narrative review of evidences. J Health Popul Nutr · 2024
- 4.Roberts HC, Denison HJ, Martin HJ, Patel HP, Syddall H, Cooper C, Sayer AA. A review of the measurement of grip strength in clinical and epidemiological studies: towards a standardised approach. Age Ageing · 2011
- 5.Habboub B, Speer R, Gosch M, Singler K. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity. Dtsch Arztebl Int · 2025
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