Initial level and rate of change in grip strength predict all-cause mortality in very old adults

Researchers repeatedly measured handgrip strength in very old adults and tracked who died from any cause. People who started with weaker grips, or whose strength declined faster, were more likely to die sooner. The study shows that grip strength can act as a simple sign of overall health and aging. It does not show that increasing grip strength will prevent death.

What this means for you: You do not need to buy a grip-strength device based on this study alone. Keeping active and discussing noticeable weakness with a health professional may be sensible, but the study tested prediction, not a treatment.