Association between handgrip strength and physical activity in hypertensive elderly individuals

Introduction : Handgrip is an excellent indicator of functionality, nutritional status and mortality among the elderly. Objective: To compare the handgrip strength of hypertensive elderly individuals classified by different levels and types of physical activity. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 80 individuals divided into three physical activity groups, according to the leisure-time and transportation sections of the long version of the IPAQ: active (≥150 min/week), insufficiently active (<150 min/week) and sedentary (10 min/week). The active individuals were also separated by type of physical activity: gymnastics, hydro gymnastics and weight training. Strength was measured by a Jamar dynamometer and consisted of a continuous handgrip movement lasting for 30 seconds. Information about demographic, socio-economic and behavioral variables was collected by questionnaire. ANOVA and paired t-test were used to compare the means of strength. The significance level was 5%. Results: Dominant and non-dominant handgrip average was 24.2 kgf (+8.3) and 22.0 kgf (+7.3), respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean handgrip strength between the active and sedentary groups; however, when the type of physical activity was evaluated, the weightlifting group had a significantly higher mean than the gym and aerobics groups. Conclusion: Handgrip strength seems to be associated with the type of activity performed, rather than the amount of time the activity is performed per week.