Grip Strength Decline and Its Determinants Across the Life Span: Insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 Data

Lee, Cameron, Mentor, Poster Presentation, School and College, School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology, Student, Wang, Inga

Cameron Lee, “Grip Strength Decline and Its Determinants Across the Life Span: Insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 Data”
Mentor: Inga Wang, Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology
Poster #3

Grip strength has become a potential indicator of overall health and biomarker for aging. By evaluating the variations in grip strength with focus on the entire lifespan, this could lead to valuable insights into population health. The purpose of this research is to investigate the dynamic variations in grip strength throughout the lifespan, expressed in rates of change measured in kilograms per year and percentage per year. Data from the grip strength portion of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011-2014 was used. The cleaned data sample included approximately 13,700 people aged 6-80 years old. The grip strength of the dominant hand was assessed using a Takei Digital handgrip dynamometer, with the best values determined from three trials. The ‘Y2-Y1 rate of change’ (in kg/year) represented the difference in grip strength between consecutive observations. The percentage change was calculated as 100*(Y2-Y1)/Y1 (in %/year). Preliminary results show that male grip strength increased from 2.00 to 3.58 kg/year in ages 6-19, showed a slight increase in early adulthood (0.25 to 0.71 kg/year at ages 20 to 34), and gradually declined post 35 (-0.08 to –1.11 kg/year in ages 35 to 75+). Percentage change rose in children (17.1 to 20.3% per year) and decreased with age (-0.20% to -3.28% per year). Similarly, in females, grip strength increased from 2.00 to 2.32 kg/year in ages 6 to 15, slightly rose in early adulthood (0.09 to 0.68 kg/year at ages 16 to 34), and gradually declined after age 35 (-0.06 to -1.15 kg/year in ages 35 to 80+). Percentage change rose in children (13.47% to 18.23% per year) and declined with age (-0.20% to –5.22% per year). This study illuminates the evolving patterns of grip strength across the lifespan, contributing valuable insights into grip strength as a potential biomarker of aging.