Grip Strength and Aging: A Clue to Biological Youth?
How well are you aging?
Your grip strength might provide a clue. Recent research reveals that weak handgrip strength, may lead to accelerated aging at the DNA level.
Why does grip strength matter?
Strength has long known to be good for overall health as it reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and chronic illnesses. It can even predict how long you might live; reduced grip strength is closely linked to mortality.
Researchers found that grip strength is a powerful predictor of future disability, morbidity, and mortality, not just in older people but also in middle-aged and young individuals. So, what's the connection between a strong grip and your future well-being?
One possible explanation lies in epigenetics, which involves changes in tiny molecules attached to genes, affecting when and how those genes turn on. These changes occur due to diet, exercise, and various aspects of our lives, influencing our DNA and health.
Epigenetics can also provide insights into how quickly we age. Epigenetic clocks estimate our biological age based on patterns of molecules on our genes, which can differ from our chronological age.
The latest research assessed whether grip strength was linked to epigenetic age. They studied 1,275 participants who had their grip strength measured and their epigenetic age estimated. The results showed that weaker grip strength was associated with a higher epigenetic age, suggesting that those with weaker grips might be more vulnerable to early illness or death.
In conclusion, your grip strength might hold the key to staying biologically youthful. Strengthening your muscles, even as you age, could slow down the aging process, making your cells and yourself healthier, regardless of your current age. So, if you need help integrating strength training into your routine, book in with one of our physiotherapists. They can assess your current state and help determine a program that is safe for your current level of fitness!