Normative values of hand grip strength of older Filipinos aged 60 to 85 years

Background: Hand grip strength (HGS) is associated with a range of health outcomes in older persons. Interpretation of an individual older person's HGS requires comparison with normative values of HGS for the population the older person belongs to, but normative values of HGS for older Filipinos are not established. Methods: Using data on a subset (n = 3406) of ‘healthy’ persons aged 60 to 85 years from the baseline survey of the nationally representative Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health in the Philippines (LSAHP), we established normative values of HGS and determined the association of older person characteristics with the normative values. We also compared the health status of mutually exclusive groups, defined using the normative values among all LSAHP participants aged 60 to 85 years with measured HGS, to assess the efficiency of the normative values. HGS was measured using a Smedley spring-type dynamometer, in a standing position with elbows extended, thrice for each hand. Results: Single-year age, gender-, and hand-specific values and graphs for the normative values (5th, 20th, 50th, 80th, and 95th percentiles) of HGS were delineated. Height, weight, education, and occupation of the older person were associated with the normative values. Individuals classified into groups representing weaker HGS had a poorer health status. Conclusion: The established normative values provide a reference for interpreting HGS values, measured using Smedley spring-type dynamometers, in older Filipinos aged 60 to 85 years.