Can handgrip strength measurements predict postural balance performance in older women?

OBJECTIVES: The link between handgrip strength and postural balance in older adults is not well understood. This study aimed to examine the correlations between postural balance performance and handgrip peak force and rate of force development (RFD) measurements in older women. METHODS: Twenty older women (67 ± 5 years) participated in this study. Handgrip contractions were used to assess peak force, peak RFD, and RFD at 0-100 (RFD100) and 0-200 (RFD200) ms. Postural balance was evaluated using a commercially designed balance testing device, which provides a measurement of static stability based on the sway index. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between sway index and handgrip peak force (r = -0.497, P = 0.026), peak RFD (r = -0.552, P = 0.012), RFD100 (r = -0.539, P = 0.014), and RFD200 (r = -0.499, P = 0.025). Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that handgrip peak RFD was the single best predictor of sway index (R(2)= 0.305). The other variables, including peak force, did not add any unique variance to the stepwise prediction model. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that handgrip strength, and in particular peak RFD, may be an effective parameter at predicting postural balance performance in older women.