Grip strength is usually measured using a hand-held dynamometer.
The patient squeezes the dynamometer with all of their strength, typically three times with each hand.
An average score is then calculated using the measurements from both hands.
BanksPhotos / Getty Images
Why Does Grip Strength Matter?
Grip strength grows weaker as we age, which eventually begins to affect our day-to-day.
It’s also a reliable indicator of a greater risk of heart attack or stroke.
It’s important to recognize that poor grip strength is not necessarily representative of poor health.
It is still unknown whether improving grip strength can help ward offage-related diseaseslike heart disease and cancer.
2010;58(9):1721-6. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03035.x
Celis-morales CA, Welsh P, Lyall DM, et al.
2018;361:k1651.
2007;36(1):228-35. doi:10.1093/ije/dyl224
