title: [Association between handgrip strength and functional performance in Chilean older people].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Handgrip strength is an important predictor of functional performance among older adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure handgrip strength in older adults and relate its values to their clinical functional assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Handgrip strength was measured in 1047 older adults living in the community and aged 71.9 ± 7 years (740 and 307 females). The values obtained were grouped by age, gender and functional condition. The latter was assessed using a score validated in Chile (Functional Assessment of Older Adults or EFAM), that classifies participants as autonomous without risk, autonomous in risk and in risk of becoming non-autonomous.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In women, hand grip strength values were 17.4 ± 5.6 and 18.7 ± 5.7 kg for left and right hand; figures for men were 30.6 ± 7.8 and 31.8 ± 8.3 kg, respectively. According the functional assessment, the figures for autonomous without risk, autonomous with risk and with risk of becoming non-autonomous participants, were 23.5 ± 9.7, 21.8 ± 9.1 and 19.3 ± 8.2 respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is an association between the degrees of functional performance of older people and handgrip strength.
authors.forename: Eladio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mancilla S
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramos F
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morales B
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002677:Chile; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors