A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found that muscle strength, particularly grip strength, is linked to lower mortality risk among women aged 63 to 99. The research followed a diverse group of over 5,400 ambulatory women from the Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health in Older Women (OPACH) study, which is part of the larger Women’s Health Initiative.
The researchers aimed to determine whether muscular strength could predict survival odds independent of other factors such as aerobic activity, sedentary time, and fitness level. Grip strength was measured using a dynamometer on the dominant hand and categorized into four groups: less than 14 kg, 14–19 kg, 20–24 kg, and more than 24 kg. Chair stand performance and usual-paced walk time were also assessed.
Over an average follow-up period of 8.3 years, nearly 2,000 participants died from all causes. The analysis showed that higher grip strength was associated with a reduced risk of death even after adjusting for age, health status, physical activity levels measured by accelerometer data, body weight or lean body mass, and inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Specifically, each standard deviation increase in grip strength corresponded to a 12% reduction in mortality risk.
Chair stand performance also showed some association with lower mortality but was less consistent than grip strength after statistical adjustments. According to the authors: "Ambulatory women aged 63 to 99 years with greater skeletal muscle strength were observed to have lower all-cause mortality, independent of other major risk factors and irrespective of aerobic activity levels." They added: "These results reinforce national guidelines advocating regular muscle-strengthening activities for healthy aging while underscoring that the findings reflect observational associations rather than proof that strength training directly extends longevity."
The study highlights the importance of maintaining muscle strength as people age. While current public health recommendations encourage adults to perform muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice per week for optimal function and musculoskeletal integrity, this research suggests benefits may extend even beyond those who meet aerobic exercise guidelines.
Researchers note that more work is needed to identify which types and intensities of muscle-strengthening activities are most effective for older adults. Future studies may help refine strategies for promoting healthy aging across different populations by examining how improvements in physical function can affect survival rates.
