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Why Shaking On It Could Be Key To Long Life

Grip strength, the speed we walk or get up from a chair and our ability to balance could be indicators of how long we may live, a decades-long study of more than 50,000 people found.

The Medical Research Council found the firmness of the grip was measured in study volunteers across 33 countries aged from 18 years to over 80.

The link between grip strength and survival could be seen in younger as well as older adults.

Other tests of physical capability, including tests of walking speed, chair-rising and standing balance, were conducted in volunteers aged 60 years and older.

More research, however, is required to determine whether these are able to predict long-term survival in younger people, in the same way as grip strength.

"Simple non-invasive assessment measures like these, that are linked to current and future health, could help doctors identify those most vulnerable to poor health in later life and who may benefit from early intervention to keep them active for longer," said Dr Rachel Cooper from the Medical Research Council.

"Research that helps people to enjoy a long and healthy life is a crucial part of the MRC's work and evermore important to help cater for the health needs of an ageing population."

Researchers believe these simple measures could be used in health assessments to monitor health and guide decisions on health care.

The paper is published in the British Medical Journal.

 

Source: http://news.sky.com