Is handgrip strength normalized to body weight a useful tool to identify dynapenia and functional incapacity in post-menopausal women?
To investigate whether handgrip strength normalized to body weight could be a useful clinical tool to identify dynapenia and assess functional capacity in post-menopausal women.



A total of 136 postmenopausal women were recruited. Body composition (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry [DEXA], Bio-electrical Impedence Analysis [BIA]), grip strength (dynamometer) and functional capacity (senior fitness tests) were evaluated. Dynapenia was established according to a handgrip strength index (handgrip strength divided by body weight (BW) in Kg/KgBW) obtained from a reference population of young women: Type I dynapenic (<0.44 kg/KgBW) and type II dynapenic (<0.35 kg/KgBW).



The results show a positive correlation between handgrip strength index (in kg/KgBW) and alternate-step test (r=0.30, p<0.001), chair-stand test (r=0.25, p<0.005) and one-leg stance test (r=0.335, p<0.001). The results also showed a significant difference in non-dynapenic compared to type I dynapenic and type II dynapenic for the chair-stand test (Non-dynapenic: 12.0±3.0; Type I: 11.7±2.5; Type II: 10.3±3.0) (p=0.037 and p=0.005, respectively) and the one-leg stance test (Non-dynapenic: 54.2±14.2; Type I: 43.8±21.4; Type II: 35.0±21.8) (p=0.030 and p=0.004, respectively). Finally, a significant difference was observed between type II dynapenic and non-dynapenic for the chair-stand test (p=0.032), but not with type I dynapenic.



The results showed that handgrip strength was positively correlated with functional capacity. In addition, non-dynapenic women displayed a better functional status when compared to type I and type II dynapenic women. Thus, the determination of the handgrip strength thresholds could be an accessible and affordable clinical tool to identify people at risk of autonomy loss.
Faculty of Science, Department of Exercise Science, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Groupe de Recherche en Activité Physique Adapté - GRAPA, Department of Exercise Science, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Research Centre of the Montreal Geriatric, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Maude
M
Dulac
Faculty of Science, Department of Exercise Science, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Groupe de Recherche en Activité Physique Adapté - GRAPA, Department of Exercise Science, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Research Centre of the Montreal Geriatric, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Guy El Hajj
GE
Boutros
Faculty of Biology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Charlotte
C
Pion
Faculty of Biology, Department of Neurosciences, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sébastien
S
Barbat-Artigas
Faculty of Science, Department of Exercise Science, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Groupe de Recherche en Activité Physique Adapté - GRAPA, Department of Exercise Science, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Research Centre of the Montreal Geriatric, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Gilles
G
Gouspillou
Faculty of Science, Department of Exercise Science, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Groupe de Recherche en Activité Physique Adapté - GRAPA, Department of Exercise Science, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Research Centre of the Montreal Geriatric, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Mylène
M
Aubertin-Leheudre
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*
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