Associations of low handgrip strength and hand laterality with cognitive function and functional mobility – the Yishun Study

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggest that in addition to low hand grip strength (HGS), HGS asymmetry is associated with declining cognitive and physical functions. We examined the associations of low HGS and asymmetry with cognitive function and functional mobility in older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 330 community-dwelling adults (55.2% women) aged ≥ 55 years included HGS, Repeated Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG). Low HGS was defined as < 28 kg for men and < 18 kg for women. Participants with HGS above 10% stronger on either hand were considered as having HGS asymmetry. Multiple linear regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic, smoking, education, comorbidity count, physical activity participation, obesity, self-rated health and hand dominance. RESULTS: Low HGS, but not asymmetry, was independently associated with lower functional mobility performance (β = 1.3, 95%CI = 0.6,1.9), global cognitive function (β = -10.4, 95%CI = -17.0,-3.8), immediate (β = -2.6, 95%CI = -4.5,-0.7) and delayed (β = -2.8, 95%CI = -5.0,-0.7) memory. Compared to normal and symmetric HGS participants, low HGS in combination with HGS asymmetry was associated with poorer language scores. In participants with normal HGS, asymmetric HGS was associated with slower TUG than corresponding groups with symmetric HGS. CONCLUSION: Low HGS, but not asymmetry, was associated with lower cognition and functional mobility. Associations of combined low HGS and asymmetry with cognitive and physical functions were driven by grip strength rather than asymmetry. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03363-2.