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Toe grip strength in middle-aged individuals as a risk factor for falls
Ryota Tsuyuguchi1, Satoshi Kurose2, Takayuki Seto3
1Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan - tsuyu@cnt.osaka-sandai.ac.jp.
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
|July 26, 2017
Summary
Middle-aged individuals with lower toe grip strength face a higher risk of falls. Improving toe grip strength may be a key strategy for fall prevention in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
- Public Health
Background:
- Toe grip strength, the force exerted by toes on a surface, is a crucial but often overlooked physical factor.
- Falls are a significant concern for middle-aged individuals, impacting independence and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between falls in middle-aged adults and physical strength, specifically toe grip strength and knee extension strength.
- To identify modifiable risk factors for falls in a middle-aged population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 194 independent middle-aged adults (388 feet) participating in a sports club event.
- Evaluated body composition, blood pressure, bone density, knee extension strength, and toe grip strength.
- Utilized logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for falls.
Main Results:
- Toe grip strength and diastolic blood pressure were identified as independent risk factors for falls.
- Subjects were categorized into fall, near-fall, and no-fall groups, with specific numbers for high and low fall risk groups.
Conclusions:
- Reduced toe grip strength is a significant independent risk factor for falls in middle-aged individuals.
- Interventions aimed at enhancing toe grip strength could potentially reduce fall incidence and improve safety.
