Longitudinal relationship between grip strength and cognitive function in a European population older than 50 years: A cross-lagged panel model

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic longitudinal relationship between grip strength and cognitive function. Methods: 6175 participants aged >= 50 years were included in the study using three waves of follow-up data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe in 2015 (T1), 2017 (T2) and 2019 (T3). Cognitive function was assessed using numeracy, verbal fluency, immediate recall, delayed recall and total. The cross-lagged panel model was used for analysis. Results: There was a correlation between grip strength and cognitive function. Standardized path coefficient from numeracy T1 to grip strength T2 was 0.017 (p = 0.003), and from numeracy T2 to grip strength T3 was 0.014 (p = 0.012). Standardized path coefficient from grip strength T1 to numeracy T2 was 0.096 (p < 0.001), and from grip strength T2 to numeracy T3 was 0.113 (p < 0.001). Other indicators of cognitive function had similar relationships with grip strength. Conclusions: The study found a statistically significant longitudinal and bidirectional relationship between grip strength and cognitive function in a sample of people aged >= 50 years from several European countries.