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Long‐Term Determinants of Muscle Strength Decline: Prospective Evidence from the 22‐Year Mini‐Finland Follow‐Up Survey
Author(s) -
Stenholm Sari,
Tiainen Kristina,
Rantanen Taina,
Sainio Päivi,
Heliövaara Markku,
Impivaara Olli,
Koskinen Seppo
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03779.x
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic bronchitis , diabetes mellitus , physical therapy , grip strength , population , cohort , cohort study , gerontology , environmental health , endocrinology
Objectives To examine long‐term changes in handgrip strength and the factors predicting handgrip strength decline. Design Longitudinal cohort study with 22 years of follow‐up. Setting Population‐based Mini‐Finland Health Examination Survey in F inland. Participants Nine hundred sixty‐three men and women aged 30 to 73 at baseline. Measurements Handgrip strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer at baseline and follow‐up. Information on potential risk factors, namely lifestyle and chronic conditions, and their changes throughout the follow‐up were based on health interviews. Results Based on linear mixed‐effect models, midlife physically strenuous work, excess body weight, smoking, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and asthma predicted muscle strength decline over 22 years of follow‐up ( P < .05 for all). In addition, pronounced weight loss, becoming physically sedentary, persistent smoking, incident coronary heart disease, other cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis, chronic back syndrome, long‐lasting cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and asthma were associated with accelerated handgrip strength decline ( P < .05 for all). Conclusion Lifestyle and physical health earlier in life determine rate of muscle strength decline in old age. Efforts should be made to recognize persons at risk in a timely manner and target early interventions to middle‐aged persons to slow down muscle strength decline and prevent future functional limitations and disability.