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Handgrip performance in relation to self-perceived fatigue, physical functioning and circulating IL-6 in elderly
Ivan Bautmans1, Ellen Gorus, Rose Njemini
1Gerontology, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. ivan.bautmans@vub.ac.be
BMC Geriatrics
|March 3, 2007
Summary
Elderly individuals with lower grip strength and muscle fatigue resistance report more fatigue and tiredness. Assessing grip strength and fatigue resistance, along with grip work, is recommended for evaluating fatigue in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Low grip strength is a known frailty indicator, alongside inflammation and fatigue.
- Muscle fatigue resistance is underutilized in elderly clinical assessments.
- This study explores links between handgrip performance, fatigue, physical function, and IL-6 in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between grip strength, handgrip muscle fatigue resistance, and self-perceived fatigue.
- To examine the association with physical functioning and circulating Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in independently living elderly individuals.
Main Methods:
- Assessed maximal grip strength, fatigue resistance, and grip work in 40 elderly participants (mean age 75).
- Measured self-perceived fatigue using VAS-Fatigue and WHOQOL-100 scales.
- Evaluated physical functioning and circulating IL-6 levels.
Main Results:
- In males, fatigue resistance correlated negatively with perceived fatigue and positively with IL-6.
- Adjusting for body weight strengthened these fatigue resistance correlations and revealed them in females.
- Grip strength and grip work showed significant associations with fatigue perception and physical functioning, enhanced when corrected for body weight.
Conclusions:
- Elderly individuals with poorer hand muscle performance experience greater fatigue and tiredness.
- Body weight influences the relationship between muscle performance and fatigue perception.
- Clinical assessment of elderly fatigue should include maximal grip strength and fatigue resistance, with grip work potentially reflecting functional capacity.
