Long-term determinants of muscle strength decline: prospective evidence from the 22-year mini-Finland follow-up survey.
OBJECTIVE
To examine long-term changes in handgrip strength and the factors predicting handgrip strength decline.


METHODS
Longitudinal cohort study with 22 years of follow-up.


METHODS
Population-based Mini-Finland Health Examination Survey in Finland.


METHODS
Nine hundred sixty-three men and women aged 30 to 73 at baseline.


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Health, Functional Capacity and Welfare, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Turku and Helsinki, Finland. sari.stenholm@thl.fi
Sari
S
Stenholm
Kristina
K
Tiainen
Taina
T
Rantanen
Päivi
P
Sainio
Markku
M
Heliövaara
Olli
O
Impivaara
Seppo
S
Koskinen
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors