354. Grip strength might predict risk of chronic disease or early death
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Grip strength might predict older adults at risk for chronic disease or early death. In a new study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, researchers at the University of Michigan demonstrated that grip strength can demonstrate existing muscle weakness, and that this muscle weakness is associated with accelerated biological age. Just as smoking has been shown to predict disease and mortality, the researchers argue that muscle weakness could be the new smoking. To increase your grip strength, the researchers emphasize the need for regular muscle-strengthening activities, like lifting weights, for at least 30 to 60 minutes each week to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and death.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
