Citation

Arvandi M, Strasser B, Volaklis K, Ladwig KH, Grill E, Matteucci Gothe R, Horsch A, Laxy M, Siebert U, Peters A, Thorand B, Meisinger C. Gerontol. Geriatr. Med. 2018; 4: e2333721418760122.

Affiliation

University Center for Health Sciences at the Klinikum Augsburg, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, The Author(s), Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/2333721418760122

PMID

29568795

PMCID

PMC5858620

Abstract

Objective:
To examine the association between grip strength and history of falls among older individuals, and to assess the possible mediating effect of balance problems on this relationship.Method:Data originate from KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg)-Age Study of 808 individuals (65 years and above). Follow-up assessment occurred 3 years later.Results:The risk of falls within the last 12 months was reduced on average by 3% (odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.97 [0.94, 0.99];pvalue =.026) per 1-kg increase in maximum grip strength after adjusting for age and gender. There was a trend toward an indirect effect of grip strength through the mediator variable balance problems (pvalue =.043).Discussion:Increased muscular strength is associated with a reduced risk of falls in older age after adjustment for age and gender. The association is partially mediated by balance problems. Thus, in older adults, muscle-strengthening exercises may decrease the risk of falling.

Language: en

Keywords

aged; balance; falls; grip strength