CHICAGO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Researchers from the University of Michigan (UM) and North Dakota State University found that poor handgrip may be a sign of impaired cognition and memory.

The researchers followed nearly 14,000 participants aged 50 and older from the 2006 Health and Retirement Study for eight years.

According to a study posted on the website of the University of Michigan (UM) on Wednesday, the researchers assessed handgrip with a hand-held dynamometer, and cognitive function with a modified Mini-Mental State Examination, a widely used test among the elderly that includes tests of orientation, attention, memory, language and visual-spatial skills.

They found that every 5-kg reduction in handgrip strength was associated with 10-percent greater odds for any cognitive impairment and 18-percent greater odds for severe cognitive impairment.

More importantly, the researchers interpreted the findings to mean that a reduction in grip strength is associated with neural degeneration, which underscores the importance of muscle-building exercise.

"These findings suggest that this is another instance where you're seeing that staying physically active affects your overall health and your cognitive health," said study co-author Sheria Robinson-Lane, assistant professor at the UM School of Nursing.

The findings, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, contribute to mounting evidence that providers should include grip strength -- not currently used -- in routine health assessments for older adults, said first author Ryan McGrath, assistant professor at North Dakota State University. Enditem

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