Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25474696›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2014

Grip strength across the life course: normative data from twelve British studies.

Richard M Dodds, Holly E Syddall, Rachel Cooper, Michaela Benzeval, Ian J Deary, Elaine M Dennison, Geoff Der, Catharine R Gale, Hazel M Inskip, Carol Jagger and 9 more

8 registry-linked trialsOpen access · goldAbstract readMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 8 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 637 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
637citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
16.3field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT02890290 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2016, after this paper: background citation

Nutrition and Sarcopenia in Frail Elderly: a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Marine Protein Hydrolysates to Improve Physical Performance.

TypeinterventionalSponsorMolde University CollegeRan2016 to 2019Enrolled92ConditionsSarcopeniaArmsMarine Protein hydrolysate, Placebo
NCT03195283 completednot on this mapstarted 2015, after this paper: background citation

A Novel In-hospital Meal Service Improves Protein and Energy Intake

TypeobservationalSponsorRadboud University Medical CenterRan2015 to 2016Enrolled637ConditionsMalnutritionArmsMeal service
NCT04648748 completednot on this mapstarted 2020, after this paper: background citation

Normative Data of Hand Grip Strength in Healthy Adult Pakistani Population

TypeobservationalSponsorRiphah International UniversityRan2020 to 2021Enrolled1,500ConditionsHealth, Subjective
NCT05502445 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Does the Nutritionist's Educational Intervention Influence Protein Intake in Hospitalized Elderly People?

TypeinterventionalSponsorHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinRan2021 to 2022Enrolled58ConditionsOld Age, Cachexia, Dietary Habits, SarcopeniaArmseducational intervention
NCT05869487 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Evaluation of a Diagnostic Method: Calf Circumference Versus X-ray Absorptiometry in the Diagnosis of Sarcopenia in Elderly Hospitalized Participants

TypeinterventionalSponsorCentre Hospitalier Régional d'OrléansRan2023 to 2027Enrolled298ConditionsSarcopeniaArmsDual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
NCT06143592 naunknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

The Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Balance, Falls and Diaphragm Thickness in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorGazi UniversityRan2023 to 2025Enrolled30ConditionsSarcopeniaArmsInspiratory Muscle Training
NCT06688266 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

Comparative Effects of Nerve Gliding Exercises and Conventional Grip Strength Exercises on Grip Strength, Range of Motion and Performance of Cricket Batters

TypeinterventionalSponsorSehat Medical ComplexRan2024 to 2025Enrolled34ConditionsNerve CompressionArmsNerve Gliding Exercises, Hand Grip Strength Exercises
NCT07653698 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Evaluation of Cancer Cachexia and Analysis of Gut Microbiota in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Home Care

TypeinterventionalSponsorFondazione ANT Franco Pannuti ETSRan2026 to 2028Enrolled140ConditionsBreast Cancer, Cancer CachexiaArmsProbiotic Mixture, Placebo
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

637 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 1,169 citations in OpenAlex.

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  13. Prevalence, risk factors and adverse health outcomes of osteosarcopenia in middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus-a scoping review.Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2026
    Review
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577 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

19 authors at 9 institutions in 1 country.

Richard M DoddsMRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Holly E SyddallMRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Rachel CooperMRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, London, United Kingdom.
Michaela BenzevalInstitute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom.
Ian J DearyCentre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Elaine M DennisonMRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Geoff DerSocial & Public Health Sciences Unit, Medical Research Council, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Catharine R GaleMRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Hazel M InskipMRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Carol JaggerInstitute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, United Kingdom.
Thomas B KirkwoodInstitute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, United Kingdom.
Debbie A LawlorMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Sian M RobinsonMRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
John M StarrCentre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Andrew SteptoeDepartment of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Kate TillingMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Diana KuhMRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, London, United Kingdom.
Cyrus CooperMRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Avan Aihie SayerMRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit · GBUniversity of Southampton · GBUniversity College London · GBUniversity of Bristol · GBUniversity of Edinburgh · GBMedical Research Council · GBNewcastle Hospitals - Campus for Ageing and Vitality · GBNewcastle University · GBUniversity of Essex · GB

Funding

Project-001R01AG017644 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF LONDON INST OF NEUROLOGY · PI Andrew Steptoe · 2000 to 2026
$56.2M
Arthritis Research UKBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research CouncilChief Scientist Office SPHSU2Medical Research Council G0500997Medical Research Council G0700704Medical Research Council MC_PC_15018Medical Research Council MC_U147574218Medical Research Council MC_UP_A620_1015Medical Research Council MC_UU_12011/2Medical Research Council MC_UU_12013/5Medical Research Council MC_UU_12013/9Medical Research Council MC_UU_12017/5Medical Research Council MC_UU_12019/1Medical Research Council MC_UU_12019/4Medical Research Council MR/K026992/1NIA NIH HHS 2R01AG017644NIA NIH HHS 2R01AG7644-01A1NIA NIH HHS R01 AG017644Wellcome Trust 092731Wellcome Trust 099055AIAWellcome Trust 102215
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionEpidemiological studies have shown that weaker grip strength in later life is associated with disability, morbidity, and mortality. Grip strength is a key component of the sarcopenia and frailty phenotypes and yet it is unclear how individual measurements should be interpreted. Our objective was to produce cross-sectional centile values for grip strength across the life course. A secondary objective was to examine the impact of different aspects of measurement protocol.

methodsWe combined 60,803 observations from 49,964 participants (26,687 female) of 12 general population studies in Great Britain. We produced centile curves for ages 4 to 90 and investigated the prevalence of weak grip, defined as strength at least 2.5 SDs below the gender-specific peak mean. We carried out a series of sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of dynamometer type and measurement position (seated or standing).

resultsOur results suggested three overall periods: an increase to peak in early adult life, maintenance through to midlife, and decline from midlife onwards. Males were on average stronger than females from adolescence onwards: males' peak median grip was 51 kg between ages 29 and 39, compared to 31 kg in females between ages 26 and 42. Weak grip strength, defined as strength at least 2.5 SDs below the gender-specific peak mean, increased sharply with age, reaching a prevalence of 23% in males and 27% in females by age 80. Sensitivity analyses suggested our findings were robust to differences in dynamometer type and measurement position.

conclusionThis is the first study to provide normative data for grip strength across the life course. These centile values have the potential to inform the clinical assessment of grip strength which is recognised as an important part of the identification of people with sarcopenia and frailty.

Indexed as

AdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAge FactorsChildChild, PreschoolCohort StudiesCross-Sectional StudiesDatabases, FactualFemaleHand StrengthHumansMaleMiddle AgedMuscle Strength Dynamometer

Identifiers

PMID25474696
PMCPMC4256164
OpenAlexW2124405724

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

and 2 more above

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.