Assessing Additional Characteristics of Muscle Function With Digital Handgrip Dynamometry and Accelerometry:...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Rehabilitation Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Assessment Technologies

Background:

• Maximal handgrip strength (HGS) is a common but incomplete measure of muscle function.
• Low HGS predicts poor health but has limitations due to its singular focus on maximal force.
• Current assessments do not capture the multivariable nature of muscle function, hindering effective screening for age-related conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel framework for comprehensive muscle function assessment.
• To explore the use of digital handgrip dynamometry and accelerometry for evaluating multiple muscle function attributes.
• To enhance the prediction and understanding of age-related disabilities and diseases.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing digital handgrip dynamometers and accelerometers to assess parameters beyond maximal force.
• Refining existing HGS protocols to include measures like rate of force development, force steadiness, and fatigability.
• Incorporating assessments of strength asymmetry and bilateral strength into HGS protocols.

Main Results:

• Digital technologies enable assessment of diverse muscle function aspects: rate of force development, submaximal force steadiness, fatigability, and task-specific tremor.
• Modified HGS protocols can evaluate strength asymmetry and bilateral strength.
• This comprehensive approach offers a more complete picture of muscle function than maximal strength alone.

Conclusions:

• A novel framework using advanced HGS technologies and protocols provides a more comprehensive muscle function assessment.
• This enhanced assessment can improve screenings for age-related disabilities, biological aging, and comorbid diseases.
• Modernizing HGS assessment may transform clinical practice by better identifying the onset and progression of disabling processes.