Can Lip Strength Be Used as a Surrogate Measure of Handgrip Strength? A Pilot Test

Handgrip strength has been used as a diagnostic criterion for sarcopenia.1,2 However, if individuals have hand and/or wrist pain, strength measured via handgrip dynamometry will not give accurate assessments. A study reported that the prevalence of disabling wrist and hand pain was approximately 15% in occupational workers.3 Thus, it is necessary to consider muscle groups, other than the hand, for evaluating muscle strength in individuals who have hand and/or wrist pain. Although testing the knee extensors is one option, there are some older individuals with pain in their knees from conditions such as osteoarthritis4 and they may have difficulty maximally exerting themselves on this test.