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Repetitive handgrip strength assessment as an objective marker of fatigue in frail older adults

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background Fatigue is central to frailty but often assessed subjectively. This study evaluates whether repetitive handgrip strength (HGS) can objectively differentiate frailty levels by measuring fatigue and recovery compared to conventional testing. Methods 217 older adults were assessed using Fried's frailty phenotype, SPPB, PASE, and MFI. The HGS protocol included two sessions of ten 3-second maximal grips, one hour apart. We calculated Fatigue Ratio (maximum/mean force) and Recovery Ratio (mean force session 2/session 1) and analyzed associations with frailty. Results Participants (58 non-frail, 68 pre-frail, 91 frail) showed significant differences in Fatigue Ratio 1 (1.12, 1.23, 1.40 respectively), Fatigue Ratio 2 (1.12, 1.21, 1.45), and Recovery Ratio (1.03, 1.01, 0.90). These measures correlated more strongly with frailty (r = 0.67, 0.69, -0.68) than MFI (r = 0.50), standard HGS (r = -0.51) or single fatigue questions (r = 0.21). Fatigue Ratio (OR = 1.51) better predicted fatigue than single questions (OR = 1.15), while SPPB (OR = 0.72) and Fatigue Ratio (OR = 1.28) were strongest for predicting frailty. Conclusions The repetitive HGS protocol provides objective assessment of fatigue resistance and recovery, outperforming standard methods for identifying frailty in geriatric populations. Key messages • Repetitive handgrip testing identifies frailty-related fatigue and recovery deficits more accurately than conventional handgrip strength or subjective fatigue measures. • Fatigue and recovery ratios are strong objective biomarkers for frailty, enabling earlier detection and better differentiation across frailty stages.
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.1173
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,181
OpenAlex ID: W7101398690
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