New clues link muscle strength and mobility to dementia risk in older adults
Researchers at Edith Coue University report that declines in muscle strength and slower walking speed may signal a higher chance of developing dementia in later life. The findings were published in the journal Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle.
The study followed more than 1,000 women with an average age around 75. Researchers assessed grip strength and a mobility task that involved rising from a chair, walking three feet, turning, and sitting again. This movement assessment is commonly called the Timed Up and Go test, or TUG.
Over a span of 15 years, roughly 17% of participants developed dementia. Those with the lowest scores on physical tests were more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared with those with the best scores. Women who showed the fastest deterioration in TUG performance were more than four times as likely to die from dementia compared with the most stable performers.
Importantly, weaker grip strength and poorer TUG results remained strongly associated with dementia risk even after accounting for factors such as smoking, family history, lifestyle choices, alcohol use, and levels of physical activity.
The researchers emphasized that slowing or halting this decline could help prevent dementia in older adults, though they cautioned that more work is needed to confirm these findings and translate them into practice.
Experts suggest grip strength and walking speed may reflect brain health, given the parallel decline seen in cognitive and motor functions as people age.
Both grip strength testing and the TUG assessment are inexpensive, simple tools that are not routinely used in routine clinical practice. The scientists noted that incorporating these measures into dementia screening could help identify individuals at high risk who could then be targeted for preventive interventions. They highlighted the potential for these screenings to be integrated into broader cognitive health programs and public health strategies aimed at reducing dementia risk across populations.
In summary, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that physical performance measures may serve as early indicators of brain health. By recognizing these signals early, healthcare providers could support individuals in taking proactive steps to maintain both physical and cognitive well-being as they age. The researchers advocate for further studies to refine screening approaches and to explore how such measures might be used alongside other risk assessments to guide prevention efforts.
Attribution: Findings reported in Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle and associated with Edith Coue University. Further confirmation and replication in diverse populations are anticipated to strengthen the case for routine use of grip strength and mobility tests in dementia risk screening. [Citation attribution to the original journal and institution].