Are you aware that a specific body part can serve as an indicator of a person’s overall health, the pace at which they are aging, and their susceptibility to diseases like heart disease and cancer?
The hand’s functionality is astounding. Beyond enabling us to perform tasks such as throwing, grabbing, climbing, and lifting objects, it can also serve as a health barometer.
By evaluating hand-grip strength – the maximum force an individual can exert through their grip – scientists can not only gauge a person’s strength but can also estimate their aging pace and diagnose certain health issues, including heart disease and cancer.
The standard method of assessing grip strength involves using a dynamometer. The individual holds this device similar to glass, keeping their elbow by their side at a right angle. They then squeeze the device for about five seconds. Both hands are tested in this way, usually with three squeezes per hand, and an average score is calculated. Men aged 20-30 generally exhibit the highest strength, while women above 75 demonstrate the lowest. Average grip strength for 20-29-year-olds is 46kg for men and 29kg for women, which drops to 39kg and 23.5kg respectively by the age of 60-69.
Studies indicate that below-average grip strength in comparison to peers of the same sex and age group can signify a higher risk of heart failure, suggesting negative changes in heart structure and function. Additionally, research has shown that weaker grip strength is a robust indicator of cardiac death, overall mortality, and hospitalization due to heart failure.
Grip strength might also help predict cancer survival rates. Although survival is dependent on various factors such as cancer type and diagnosis time, one study discovered that patients with greater grip strength had a higher likelihood of surviving non-small-cell lung cancer.
Men diagnosed with colorectal, prostate, or lung cancer, and women diagnosed with breast and lung cancer, all tend to experience a five-kilogram reduction in grip strength in the 60-69 age group. This decrease is also linked to an increased chance of dying from colorectal cancer in men and breast cancer in women.
Obesity often correlates with weaker grip strength in later life. The accumulation of fat in and around muscles lowers muscle efficiency. Recent studies examining diabetes and grip strength have revealed that individuals who develop type 2 diabetes typically have weaker grip strength. This is likely due to fat infiltration in muscles, reducing their effectiveness and leading to increased inactivity and muscular deterioration.
Grip strength tends to diminish with age. As we grow older, our bodies lose muscle mass, and consequently, grip strength lessens. From middle age onwards, muscle mass (and function) decreases by about 1% per year, which could result in a loss of up to 50% of muscle mass by the age of 80-90.
However, the aging process varies among individuals, indicating that grip strength might decline due to age-related changes in the nervous system where signal transmission slows down, or due to muscle loss in the arms. Further research has suggested that reduced grip strength in older adults correlates with diminished cognitive function.
When individuals age or are afflicted by certain health issues, muscle tissue loss is experienced throughout the body. Nevertheless, gauging strength in many areas can be challenging, which is why hands prove to be incredibly valuable. The hands’ dexterity in performing delicate as well as powerful movements renders them an excellent representation of general health.
In the presence of diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer), the muscles’ ability to contract for force generation and for functioning and mobility is impaired. This impairment may arise from a mix of factors like diminished heart functionality affecting movement, muscle inefficiency, fatigue, or muscle atrophy. A decrease in muscle function leads to muscle tissue loss, which in turn results in weakened muscle strength and restricted activity. Certain health conditions can also cause fatigue, rendering individuals less inclined to move and exercise, thereby perpetuating a cycle of continuous muscle loss and dwindling strength.
Cancer, especially, can adversely impact the efficacy of our digestive system, hindering food consumption and diminishing appetite. The nutrients we intake, notably proteins, are crucial for sustaining muscle mass and strength. Lacking proper nourishment, the body resorts to utilizing internal reserves for energy production. Primarily, the body metabolizes unused tissues, with muscle being a preferred source. Reduction in body mass depletes the body’s natural reserves, possibly affecting its capability to withstand prolonged chronic illnesses.
One of the fundamental actions individuals can undertake to preserve health and enhance or at the very least maintain muscle strength is to engage in physical exercise. The body adheres to a “use it or lose it” philosophy regarding tissues, meaning muscles will degenerate if not exercised. For example, it is widely recognized that encouraging patients to walk post-surgery inhibits muscle and bone loss and reduces hospital stay durations.
In conclusion, the firmness of a handshake might divulge more insights about one’s health than one might anticipate.
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