Rothstein: Pay Attention to Declining Grip Strength

In a Health.com article, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science Alexander Rothstein, Ed.D., explains why grip strength may weaken with age, and how to prevent this from happening. He notes that a key sign of declining grip strength is when everyday tasks, such as opening jars or carrying grocery bags, start to feel consistently harder than they once did, signaling a meaningful reduction in hand and forearm strength.

He also explains that grip strength often decreases as people age because of factors such as reduced physical activity or the loss of muscle mass that typically begins in the late 40s and early 50s. To proactively combat this, Rothstein recommends regular resistance training—two to three sessions per week—to maintain or rebuild grip strength. Exercises involving weights, such as deadlifts, pull-ups, or kettlebells, can naturally strengthen the hands and forearms and help preserve overall physical function.

The article also appeared on AOL.com.