Cognition in the palm of the hand: The relationship between handgrip isometric strength and cognitive performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/gb.v2i3.0017Keywords:
Aging; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychomotor Performance; Personal Autonomy.Abstract
Introduction: Aging leads to a decline in functional, biophysiological, and neurological capacity. Objective: To analyze the correlation between handgrip strength (HGS) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, and to verify its magnitude and sensitivity in estimating cognitive performance in irregularly active older adults. Methods: The study included 35 older adults aged between 60 and 87 years. The MMSE was used to assess cognitive capacity. Isometric strength was evaluated using the handgrip strength (HGS) test. The relationship between the total MMSE score and HGS variables was verified using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Differences in mean HGS between different cognitive levels were analyzed using ANOVA. The magnitude of the effect size was obtained using Cohen’s d. A linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between mean HGS and the MMSE score. Results: The correlation analysis between HGS and MMSE scores revealed a positive and statistically significant association (right hand: r = 0.360, p = 0.034; left hand: r = 0.485, p = 0.003). A significant effect of strength level among classifications of cognitive performance was observed [F(2,32) = 5.51, p < 0.01, d = 0.255]. The coefficient of determination (R²) indicated that approximately 20.9% of the variability in cognitive test scores can be explained by variations in HGS. Conclusion: Handgrip strength is significantly and positively associated with cognitive performance in irregularly active older adults, showing a clear gradient in relation to the severity of impairment.
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