Aging & Social Change: Twelfth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

Grip strength is a biomarker of ageing at the level of body function that explains many diseases conditions in older adults such as cognitive impairment, falls, and many other geriatric syndromes, and it has also been noted that a strong grip strength may indicate living a long life. It is therefore critical to provide an overview of how to measure and improve grip strength in order to provide better care for older adults and increase their longevity. A narrative review of the literature on grip strength measurement and intervention in older adults was conducted and PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were searched for themes on mechanism of hand grip strength, grip strength measurement, and novel interventions on non-pharmacological means (physiotherapy) of optimizing grip strength in older adults. Hand grip strength can be measured with a dynamometer, and hand dexterity and coordination, which are required for good gripping ability, can be measured with a box and block test, but special tests like hand nerve supply integrity and blood supply assessment are required during hand function evaluation for optimal gripping ability. Grip strength is a biomarker of aging and element of longevity that necessitates an appropriate combination of interventions in therapeutic exercises, electrotherapy modalities, and biomechanical approaches for an effective therapeutic outcome. With literature pointing to grip strength as a biomarker of aging and an element of longevity, optimizing hand function may be fundamental and should be included in all physiotherapy interventions for older adults.