Normalizing handgrip strength in older adults: An allometric approach

Abstract Purpose Handgrip strength is an important variable to assess as part of any health intervention among older adults. Although the use of allometric normalization is the appropriate approach for removing the body size effect in handgrip performance, the best body size variable for this normalization is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the use of three body size variables (body mass, fat-free mass and body height) in allometric normalization for Handgrip strength among older adults. Methods: Data from individuals admitted to the Elderly Care Center of the Open University of the Third Age were used, the sample consisting of 263 individuals (140 women), aged between 60–87. Results The results provided allometric exponents for normalization of HGS in each body size variable (body mass: 0.31; fat-free mass: 0.11; body height: 0.46). The correlations between normalized HGS and body size variables were significant (p  Conclusions Body height seems to be the best body size variable for performing allometric normalization of HGS among older adults.