Projecting Longevity: Why Grip Strength Matters

Projecting Your Longevity: Can Grip Strength be an Indicator?

Do you remember when people used to say you could learn about someone’s character by the firmness of a handshake. (Honestly, I still think this!)

Curiously, research tells us that grip strength can also be an indicator of how long you might live.

And it’s not the only everyday way to get a glimpse into longevity. Studies also say we can learn about our future health by measuring:

• Pushups

• Standing up from sitting on the floor

• Walking speed

It’s fun to test yourself and think about it like this. It’s also a great reminder of how absolutely crucial it is to have strength, endurance, and agility to maintain quality of life and independence.

First, Grip Strength

Peter Attia, a longevity doctor, says that grip strength is a strong indicator of overall health and fitness, and is one of the strongest physical associations with longer life. He also says that grip strength is important for avoiding injury, and can have a big impact on quality of life.

Attia goes on to say; when it comes to accidents, grip strength can directly make the difference between a good and a bad outcome. Having a strong grip gives you a greater chance of catching yourself after losing balance, thus avoiding the downward spiral in health that often follows a bad fall. In other words, grip strength complements eccentric strength: while eccentric strength improves stability and deceleration and makes us less likely to lose our balance, grip strength provides a back-up level of protection for those inevitable occasions when we do stumble. The better we are at gripping supports, the less likely that a lapse in balance will result in a full-fledged fall and serious injury. And as we increase in age, this delta between catch and no catch becomes increasingly important.

Weak hands can mean weakness throughout the body, which indicates poor cardiovascular health – which are all major reasons why you should be exercising regularly.

A separate review of studies showed that for people over 60, grip strength can predict “decline in cognition, mobility, functional status and mortality.”

How Many Push-ups Can You Do?

The answer could be helpful to keeping your heart healthy, according to a study by Harvard and other institutions published by the American Medical Association.

Cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer worldwide. Contributing factors include diet, smoking, drink – and physical inactivity. But predicting an individual’s likelihood to develop heart disease has been problematic. This survey seems to say that a quick test can act as a simple, no-cost and generally effective crystal ball.

The researchers studied the health of hundreds of men over several years. They didn't set out to examine push-ups. But the data revealed that men who could complete 11 or more went on to have lower risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems later in life. 

Men who could do 40 push-ups were 96 percent less likely to develop problems than those who couldn't manage more than 10. 

Other Measures, Too

Now, before we put too much weight behind any single study or specific point, it’s worth noting other predictors of longevity – especially now, when the topic is so hot. Everyone wants to not only live longer, but also better.

Another study found predictive value in measuring how easily someone over 50 can stand from a seated position on the floor. 

And researchers have used walking speed as another way to analyze how long an older person might live. 

These all come together to make an undeniable case: If you’re physically capable of performing common tasks as you age, then you’re likely to enjoy a longer, better life. 

If you're ready to work on improving your longevity reach out today. I currently have 5 spots in some of our most coveted small group time slots.

Coach Jackie