Association between handgrip strength and functional performance in Chilean older people

Background: Handgrip strength is an important predictor of functional performance among older adults. Aim: To measure handgrip strength in older adults and relate its values to their clinical functional assessment. Material and Methods: Handgrip strength was measured in 1047 older adults living in the community and aged 71.9 +/- 7 years (740 and 307 females). The values obtained were grouped by age, gender and functional condition. The latter was assessed using a score validated in Chile (Functional Assessment of Older Adults or EFAM), that classifies participants as autonomous without risk, autonomous in risk and in risk of becoming non-autonomous. Results: In women, hand grip strength values were 17.4 +/- 5.6 and 18.7 +/- 5.7 kg for left and right hand; figures for men were 30.6 +/- 7.8 and 31.8 +/- 8.3 kg, respectively. According the functional assessment, the figures for autonomous without risk, autonomous with risk and with risk of becoming non-autonomous participants, were 23.5 +/- 9.7, 21.8 +/- 9.1 and 19.3 +/- 8.2 respectively. Conclusions: There is an association between the degrees of functional performance of older people and handgrip strength.