In the minds of many older Australians, ‘slowing down’ is an accepted part of the natural ageing process.
But according to new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU), it could also be a warning sign of late-life dementia.
A long-term study of more than 1000 women, with an average age of 75, measured grip strength, and the time it took them to get up from a chair, walk three metres and return to sit in the chair. The findings revealed indicators that participants could present with dementia later in life.
The results are an important step in helping identify early warning signs of dementia. It may also inform cheap and simple tests that could enable life-changing early interventions to prevent the onset of the condition.
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The global impact of dementia
New data from the World Health Organization shows that there are more than 55 million people with dementia worldwide. Each year, there are almost 10 million new cases. Dementia is recognised as the seventh leading cause of death globally, and one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older people.
Loss of muscle strength is an important identifier
A certain amount of muscle strength loss occurs naturally as we grow older. However, the research teams from ECU’s Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute and Centre for Precision Health used data from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing in Women to closely examine the relationship between muscle function and dementia.
Tests that measured women’s grip strength and the time it took for them to rise, walk and return to a chair, known as a timed-up-and-go (TUG) test, were repeated every five years, over a 15-year period, to monitor any loss of performance.
Across that period, almost 17 per cent of the women involved in the study experienced a dementia event (categorised as a dementia-related hospitalisation or death).
The research revealed that lower grip strength and slower TUG were significant risk factors for presenting with dementia – and were independent of other genetic risk and lifestyle factors, including smoking, levels of physical activity and alcohol consumption.
Proven connection between weak grip strength and dementia diagnosis
The study found that the women with the weakest grip strength were twice as likely to have a late-life dementia event than individuals with the strongest grip.
There was a similar connection between results of TUG performance and dementia, with the slowest performances in the TUG tests more than twice as likely to experience dementia than the fastest women.
Decreased grip strength and TUG results after five years was also linked to greater dementia risk.
In terms of hard data, those who experienced the biggest decline in grip strength and TUG speed were approximately two to two-and-a-half times more likely to experience a dementia event, compared to the women who showed the least decline.
And for the women with the slowest TUG performances, the findings were more concerning. These participants were four times more likely to have a dementia-related death than the fastest.
Understanding warnings equals better prevention
Senior researcher Dr Marc Sim explained that grip strength – which can be measured accurately and easily using a handheld dynamometer – may be a measure of brain health, due to the overlapping nature of cognitive and motor decline.
“Grip strength may also present as a surrogate measure of cardiovascular disease, inflammation and frailty, which are known risk factors for dementia,” Dr Sim said.
The positive news from the research is that through the use of these simple tests, health professionals may be able to identify dementia risk in patients earlier – and that means proactive steps towards better prevention.
“The exciting findings were that decline in these measures was associated with substantially higher risk, suggesting that if we can halt this decline, we may be able to prevent late-life dementias,” Dr Sim said.
Restoring muscle function with exercise and diet
A combination of aerobic exercise, resistance training and balance training can be an effective way to restore muscle strength. A study of 57 adults aged 65–94 showed that performing resistance exercises three times per week increased muscle strength over 12 weeks. To improve muscle growth, health professionals recommend adding more protein to your diet, as well as Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids along with a tailored exercise plan.
Identifying early dementia warning signs
Although further research is still needed in the area, Centre for Precision Health director Professor Simon Laws said there was encouraging progress in identifying early warning signs of dementia.
“We are now starting to see a number of simple yet indicative screening assessments that could be combined with other biological and clinical measures to provide a holistic risk profile for individuals presenting to their GP with, for example, memory concerns,” he said.
It’s important to note that muscle loss, decreased grip strength and other signs of slowing down may not always point to a late-life dementia diagnosis and could be a prompt to explore other potential health issues. Consult a health professional for a clearer understanding of the normal – and not so normal – changes typically associated with ageing.
Also read: New tool could help detect early onset dementia
Have you noticed yourself slowing down as you age? Does it concern you or are you comfortable that it is merely a sign of ageing? Why not share your thoughts about slowing down in the comments section below?
Disclaimer: This article contains general information about health issues and is not ‘advice’ because it does not consider your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. For health advice, always consult your medical practitioner.
I am slow at getting up because I have sore knees at 75 years. Does that mean that sore knees are a sign of oncoming dementia ? My grip is still strong.