Analysis of the association between hand grip strength and functionality in community elderly

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze an association between handgrip strength (HGS) and functional performance tests by healthy, non-institutionalized elderly. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. A sample consisted of 36 elderly people (66.69 years), all of whom responded to a cognitive assessment instrument and another to assess the level of physical activity, in addition to sociodemographic data and health conditions. The HGS was measured using the hydraulic dynamometer JAMAR and performed the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) to assess the cardiorespiratory capacity submitted during displacement and body mobility. Results: It was possible to verify through the Pearson coefficient the weak and significant association between the MPH and the variables 6MWT (p≤0.05) and TUG (p = 0.027). Conclusion: For samples of healthy elderly and applied experimental conditions, the FPM is related to performance tests. Thus, it is believed that the evaluation of the HGS may be an alternative to interference in this population. Keywords: Aged. Muscle strength. Muscle strength dynamometer. Physical functional performance. Walk test.