Abstract Book of the 2nd Global Conference on Aging and Gerontology
Year: 2025
DOI:
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HandGrip Strenght and Loneliness Association in Community-Dwelling Elderly
José Luís Martins Alves Sousa, Rita Manuela de Almeida Barros, Neide Marina Feijó
ABSTRACT:
Greater handgrip strength (HGS) is associated with improved functional independence in senior adults, facilitating autonomous living and active participation in daily, occupational, and social activities. HGS serves as a key indicator of overall physical and functional capacity in aging populations, playing a crucial role in promoting independence and well-being. Loneliness has been linked to declines in functional capacity; however, the scientific literature remains inconclusive on this relationship. This study aims to assess handgrip strength and investigate its correlation with loneliness. Data was collected from a sample of 33 senior adults, of which 82% were women, with a mean age of 70.85 years old. Handgrip strength was measured using a Baseline BIMS dynamometer. To assess loneliness levels, participants completed Portuguese version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale. The results show that the mean HGS of the non-dominant hand was 24.05 (±6.86) kg for men and 28.62 (±16.12) kg for women. In addition, HGS of the non-dominant hand is not directly associated with loneliness levels in older adults. Although HGS remains a valuable measure for identifying individuals at risk of physical decline in aging populations, the experience of loneliness in the elderly is complex and include other variables than levels of functionality and autonomy. Further research with more diverse samples is warranted. To better understand the association between HGS and loneliness, other conditions require attention, such as socioeconomic backgrounds, as well and other psychological variables.
keywords: biomarker; muscle strength, health outcomes; aging; functional capacity