Abstract

Context: Hand grip strength (HGS) is a simple and reliable indicator of muscle function in older adults and may be associated with mobility and sleep quality. evidence regarding these relationships, particularly with gender-specific analysis in the Southern Karnataka population is limited. Aims: To examine the relationship between hand grip strength with gait speed, and sleep disturbance among older adults living in community-dwelling and to explore gender-specific differences. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional pilot study. Methods and Material: Eighteen community-dwelling older adults (8 males, 10 females) aged 60–74 years participated. hand dynamometry is used has assessment for hand grip strength, gait speed using the 4-m gait speed test, and sleep disturbance was assessed by using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics, Shapiro–Wilk test, Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman's rank correlation, and gender-stratified linear regression analysis was performed. Results: Greater hand grip strength was seen in male participants than females (p<0.001), while gait speed and PSQI scores did not differ significantly between genders. There was not any significant association of hand grip strength with gait speed or sleep disturbance. in gender-stratified egression, there was significant association seen between hand grip strength and gait speed in males only (p=0.014). Conclusions: Poorer sleep quality was associated with slower gait speed, whereas hand grip strength showed a gender-specific association with gait speed only in males.

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