The Relationship between Grip Strength and Physical Function in Elderly Community-Dwelling Women

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to undertake an overall assessment of physical function, lower limb strength, walking ability, average function, etc., and investigate the relationships with grip strength in elderly community-dwelling women. [Subjects] The subjects were 265 elderly women living in F town of F prefecture who had an average age of 73.7 ± 6.4 years. [Method] We examined the relationships between grip strength and individual items of physical function such as femoris quadriceps strength, toe-grip strength, one-leg standing time, long-sitting forward reach, maximum walking speed, six-minute walking test (6MWT), 10 m obstacle course time, timed up-and-go test (TUG), and upper body raise. [Results] The items showing a significant correlation with grip strength were toe-grip and femoris quadriceps strength, one-leg standing time, maximum walking speed, TUG, 10 m obstacle course time and 6WMT, but no significant relationship was found with long-sitting forward reach. [Conclusion] The results suggest grip strength reflects the gross physical strength, inclusive of lower limb strength, standing balance and walking ability, of elderly community-dwelling women, and is an easy and useful test method.