A large study, involving nearly 14,000 older adults (50+) participating in the 2006 Health and Retirement Study, found that weaker handgrip strength was associated with a greater risk of developing cognitive impairment, especially severe impairment, over the eight-year study period.

Moreover, there was a dose-response type relationship, with every 5-kilogram (11-pound) reduction in handgrip strength being associated with a 10% greater risk of cognitive impairment and an 18% greater risk of severe cognitive impairment.

Handgrip strength was assessed with a hand-held dynamometer, and cognitive function with a modified Mini-Mental State Examination.

It’s suggested that reduced grip strength is associated with neural degeneration, but that maintaining your physical strength will protect you.

Data from the very long-running Framingham Heart Study also found that those who had slow walking speeds and weak grip strength had a significantly greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the next 11 years. Additionally, those older than 65 years had a higher risk of stroke if their hand grip strength was weak.

Participants were aged 35-84. Walking speed was assessed by walking a certain distance as fast as they could without running.