title: Muscle strength: clinical and prognostic value of hand-grip dynamometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Grip strength measured by dynamometry is well established as an indicator of muscle status, particularly among older adults. This review was undertaken to provide a synopsis of recent literature addressing the clinical and prognostic value of hand-grip dynamometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Numerous large-scale normative grip strength projects have been published lately. Other recent studies have reinforced the concurrent relationship of grip strength with measures of nutritional status or muscle mass and measures of function and health status. Studies published in the past few years have confirmed the value of grip strength as a predictor of mortality, hospital length of stay, and physical functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a whole, the recent literature supports the use of hand-grip dynamometry as a fundamental element of the physical examination of patients, particularly if they are older adults.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program of the Department of Kinesiology, College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bohannon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018737:Hand Strength; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis