Fitness Stronger muscles increase life expectancy

Study shows: Longer life through more muscle strength

Millions of Germans regularly go to the gym to strengthen their muscles during strength training. How useful this is for health has now been shown in a recent study that found that people with more muscle strength live longer. In particular, the grip strength is crucial here, the researchers report.

Higher life expectancy through regular sports

To stay young longer, you should do sports regularly. Recommended are both endurance and weight training. By the latter, the life expectancy is apparently increased. Because who has more muscle strength, lives longer. This has now been demonstrated in a new study by researchers from the University of Michigan (USA).

Strength training can possibly help increase life expectancy. For one study showed that people with more muscle strength live longer. (Image: contrastwerkstatt / fotolia.com)

Maintaining muscle strength

According to the study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, people with low muscle power die 50 percent more than their stronger counterparts.

"Maintaining muscle strength throughout life - and especially later in life - is extremely important for longevity and aging, independently of each other," said lead researcher Kate Duchowny in a statement.

According to the scientist, previous scientific research has shown that muscle strength is an even more important predictor of overall health and longevity than muscle mass.

Hand gripping force of outstanding importance

For the current study, data from 8,326 US men and women over the age of 65 were analyzed.

It showed that the hand grip force is particularly important, because if it turns out weak, it is associated with mobility limitations.

Although this is a relatively simple test, grip force measurement is currently not part of most routine exams, Duchowny said.

"This study highlights the importance of integrating grip strength into routine care - not just for older adults, but even mid-life," says the study author.

"If hand strength were an integral part of routine care, this would allow earlier interventions that could lead to increased longevity and independence for the individual."

Even earlier studies have shown that the strength of the hands is important for the diagnosis of diseases.

"Weak" people die earlier

As explained in the University of Michigan Communication, grip strength can be measured with a device called a dynamometer.

This is compressed by the patient to measure his strength in kilograms. The researchers used thresholds to define degrees of strength.

For example, muscle weakness was identified with a hand force of less than 39 kg for men and 22 kg for women.

Based on their data, 46 percent of subjects were initially rated as "weak".

The researchers found that people in the "weak" category die with a 50 percent chance earlier than the comparison group.

The study also shows that "muscle weakness is a serious public health issue," Duchowny said. (Ad)