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A groundbreaking study led by the University of South Australia, in collaboration with 140 global researchers, has revealed that handgrip strength is a reliable predictor of age-related diseases and disabilities. The study, published in The Journal of Sport and Health Science, establishes the world’s largest and most geographically comprehensive international norms for handgrip strength, offering new tools for health screening, surveillance, and peer comparisons across the adult lifespan.
The study aggregates data from 100 unique observational studies, representing 2.4 million adults aged 20 to over 100 years, from 69 countries across six continents. This unprecedented research, which encompasses 71% of the world’s population, is the first to establish standardized handgrip strength norms across various age groups and sexes at an international level.
Handgrip strength is measured using a handgrip dynamometer, which records the maximum force a person can produce by squeezing the device. This seemingly simple measurement offers profound insights into an individual’s muscle strength and overall health. Low handgrip strength has been linked to an increased risk of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and a higher incidence of physical disability.
A New Framework for Strength Assessment
The research introduces a percentile-based framework to classify strength levels. Adults are ranked based on their handgrip performance:
- Below the 20th percentile: ‘Low’ strength
- 20–39th percentiles: ‘Somewhat low’ strength
- 40–59th percentiles: ‘Moderate’ strength
- 60–79th percentiles: ‘Somewhat high’ strength
- Above the 80th percentile: ‘High’ strength
These new norms provide an essential tool for monitoring muscle strength over time and assessing healthy aging. According to Professor Grant Tomkinson, lead researcher on the study, this global reference framework will enable clinicians to better identify individuals at risk of poor health and target necessary interventions.
“Muscle strength is a powerful biomarker for current and future health,” said Professor Tomkinson. “Grip strength is a simple but effective general measure of muscle strength, which peaks between the ages of 30 and 39, then gradually declines, especially in late adulthood.”
Improving Health Interventions Globally
The establishment of international handgrip strength norms allows for better health monitoring and intervention. By comparing an individual’s handgrip strength to global benchmarks, clinicians can track trends over time, assess the impact of public health policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving strength and reducing health risks.
This study’s findings are expected to improve individualized care, with clear guidance on strength benchmarks across the adult lifespan. The new norms will help health professionals offer more targeted feedback and interventions for those with low muscle strength, ultimately improving the quality of life and reducing the risk of diseases linked to muscle decline.
A Powerful Tool for Global Health
The research promises to be a game-changer for global health by providing standardized data that can be used across countries and regions. It also facilitates comparisons across populations, enabling researchers and healthcare providers to monitor global trends in muscle strength and health outcomes.
The findings of this study offer hope for improved strategies in managing aging populations worldwide, emphasizing the importance of muscle health as a cornerstone of overall well-being.
For more information, see the study: “International norms for adult handgrip strength: A systematic review of data on 2.4 million adults aged 20 to 100+ years from 69 countries and regions” in The Journal of Sport and Health Science (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2024.101014.
