Functionality, Anthropometric Measurements, and Handgrip Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Kinesiology

Background:

• Handgrip strength (HGS) is a key indicator for assessing older adults' health, predicting frailty, independence, sarcopenia, and fall risk.
• Anthropometric measurements like BMI and arm circumference are vital for evaluating health status in the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlations between functional capacity, anthropometric measurements, and handgrip strength in community-dwelling older adults.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study involving 225 older adults.
• Utilized the Barthel Scale, Lawton and Brody Scale, anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist, calf, brachial circumferences), and dynamometry.
• Employed Spearman's correlation, shared variance analysis, and Steiger's r-to-z method for statistical interpretation.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (36.5% shared variance) and BMI (48.4% shared variance).
• The Lawton Scale demonstrated a significant negative correlation with handgrip strength (ρ = -0.176, p < 0.01).
• A majority of participants (65.8%) were female, aged 60-68 (51.1%), independent in Basic Activities of Daily Living (76.9%), but dependent in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (99.1%).

Conclusions:

• A significant relationship exists between functional capacity, anthropometric measurements, and handgrip strength in community-dwelling older adults.
• These findings highlight the interplay between physical performance, body composition, and autonomy in the elderly population.
• Assessing these parameters is crucial for understanding and promoting healthy aging.