Developmental factors associated with decline in grip strength from midlife to old age: A British birth cohort study

Diana Kuh, Rebecca Hardy, Joanna M. Blodgett, Rachel Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives To test whether developmental factors are associated with grip strength trajectories between 53 and 69 years, and operate independently or on the same pathway/s as adult factors. Design British birth cohort study. Setting England, Scotland and Wales. Participants 3058 men and women. Main outcome measures Grip strength (kg) at ages 53, 60-64 and 69 were analysed using multilevel models to estimate associations with developmental factors (birth weight, growth parameters, motor and cognitive development) and father's social class, and investigate adult factors that could explain observed associations, testing for age and sex interactions. Results In men, heavier birth weight, beginning to walk â € on time', later puberty and greater weight 0-26 years and in women, heavier birth weight and earlier age at first standing were independently associated with stronger grip but not with its decline. The slower decline in grip strength (by 0.07 kg/year, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.11 per 1 SD, p=0.003) in men of higher cognitive ability was attenuated by adjusting for adult verbal memory. Conclusions Patterns of growth and motor development have persisting associations with grip strength between midlife and old age. The strengthening associations with cognition suggest that, at older ages, grip strength increasingly reflects neural ageing processes. Interventions across life that promote muscle development or maintain muscle strength should increase the chance of an independent old age.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere025755
JournalBMJ Open
Volume9
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 1 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding This work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council MC_UU_12019/1, which provides core funding for the MRC National Survey of Health and Development and supports DK, JB, RC and RH by MC_UU_12019/1, MC_UU_12019/2, MC_UU_12019/4. JB also receives support from UCL (Overseas and Graduate Research Scholarships).

Funding Information:
Competing interests All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form and declare: DK, JB, RC and RH received financial support from the UK Medical Research Council for the submitted work. JB also receives support from UCL (Overseas and Graduate Research Scholarships); no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Author(s).

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Medicine

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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