Relative hand grip strength and functional fitness among older adults with type II diabetes in Egypt: A cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Mohammed Youssef Elhamrawy Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan.
  • Ali Mohammed Hassan Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Science, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan / Faculty of Physical Therapy, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.
  • Jobby George College of Health Sciences, University of Fujairah, Fujairah, UAE.
  • Sami Ahmed Zaher Basha Faculty of Physical Therapy, Pharos University, Alexandria, Egypt / Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan.
  • Mohammed Ali Mohammed Sarhan Faculty of Physical Therapy, Suez Canal University, Egypt.
  • Zeinab M Abdelrehim Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Aqaba University of Technology, Jordan.
  • Mohamed T. Said Department of Physical Therapy for Elderly, National Institute of Longevity Elderly Sciences (NILES), Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt / Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Aqaba University of Technology, Jordan.
  • Saher Lotfy Elgayar Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.662781
Keywords: Relative Hand Grip Strength, Functional Fitness, Elderly, Diabetes

Abstract

Population aging, diabetes, and insufficient physical activity have become pressing public health issues in Egypt. Addressing these challenges can enhance the quality of life for the aging population and reduce the overall public health burden. This study recruited 200 participants, divided into two groups: individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy non-diabetic controls. Participants were assessed for relative handgrip strength (rHGS) using a hand dynamometer, and for functional fitness using the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the 30-second chair stand, and the 2-minute walk test (2-MWT), all during the same visit. The mean relative hand grip strength (rHGS) and the functional assessment (TUG, 30-second chair stands and 2-MWT) were significantly lower in the diabetic group compared to the group with no diabetes (p<0.05). Both rHGS and functional level are significantly lower in elderly diabetics as compared with healthy elderly subjects in Egypt (p<0.05). Also, among the Egyptians, rHGS and functional level in elderly participants with type 2 diabetes are strongly correlated with their glycemic control (p<0.05). The study highlights the importance of monitoring physical function as part of diabetes management in older adults.

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Published
16-05-2025
How to Cite
Youssef Elhamrawy, M., Hassan, A. M., George, J., Zaher Basha, S. A., Mohammed Sarhan, M. A., Abdelrehim, Z. M., … Elgayar, S. L. (2025). Relative hand grip strength and functional fitness among older adults with type II diabetes in Egypt: A cross-sectional study . SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 14, 49. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.662781
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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.