Temporal relationship between handgrip strength and cognitive performance in oldest old people

Abstract

Background: cognitive decline and muscle weakness are prevalent health conditions in elderly people. We hypothesised that cognitive decline precedes muscle weakness.Objective: to analyse the temporal relationship between cognitive performance and handgrip strength in oldest old people. Design: prospective population-based 4-year follow-up study.Subjects: a total of 555 subjects, all aged 85 years at baseline, were included into the study.Methods: handgrip strength measured at age 85 and 89 years. Neuropsychological test battery to assess global cognitive performance, attention, processing speed and memory at baseline and repeated at age 89 years. Associations between handgrip strength and co..