The Landmark University at Buffalo Study on Muscle Strength and Longevity

A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University at Buffalo has revealed that greater muscle strength significantly predicts longer life in older women. Published in JAMA Network Open on February 13, 2026, the research analyzed data from 5,472 ambulatory women aged 63 to 99 years, finding that stronger grip strength and faster chair stand performance were associated with substantially lower all-cause mortality risk over an average follow-up of 8.4 years. Led by Michael J. LaMonte, PhD, MPH, a research professor in UB's Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health within the School of Public Health and Health Professions, this is the largest investigation to date linking muscle strength to longevity specifically in women over 60, accounting for factors like physical activity and inflammation.

During the study period, 1,964 participants passed away, allowing scientists to rigorously assess how muscle strength influenced survival. The findings underscore a compelling message: for muscle strength and longevity in older women, maintaining power in everyday movements like gripping or rising from a chair could be as crucial as aerobic exercise. This research, part of the Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health (OPACH) ancillary study to the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), highlights UB's pivotal role in advancing public health knowledge on aging.

Methodology: Rigorous Testing and Comprehensive Controls

The study employed two simple, clinically validated tests to measure upper and lower body strength. Grip strength was assessed using a Jamar dynamometer on the dominant hand, with participants seated and exerting maximal force (highest of two trials recorded in kilograms). Quartiles were defined as less than 14 kg (lowest), 14-19 kg, 20-24 kg, and greater than 24 kg (highest). Chair stand performance timed how long it took to complete five unassisted sit-to-stands from a straight-backed chair, with arms crossed—quartiles ranged from over 16.7 seconds (slowest) to 11.1 seconds or less (fastest).

Participants, diverse in ethnicity (33.8% Black, 16.7% Hispanic/Latina, 49.5% White) with a mean age of 78.7 years, wore accelerometers for seven days to objectively capture moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time. Researchers adjusted for confounders including age, sociodemographics, comorbidities, smoking, blood pressure, walking speed (a proxy for cardiorespiratory fitness), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels for inflammation. Cox proportional hazards models quantified hazard ratios (HRs), revealing persistent links between strength and survival. This robust design isolates muscle strength's unique contribution to muscle strength and longevity in older women.

Key Results: Quantifying the Strength-Longevity Link

Higher grip strength correlated with dramatically lower mortality. Compared to the weakest quartile, women in the strongest had a 33% reduced risk (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.58-0.78) after basic adjustments, holding at 30% (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.61-0.82) even with MVPA and sedentary controls. Per standard deviation increase (~7 kg), risk dropped 13% (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83-0.91).

Chair stands showed similar patterns: strongest quartile had 31% lower risk (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.59-0.79). Death rates plummeted from 67.2 per 1,000 person-years in weakest grip to 23.5 in strongest. These patterns endured across subgroups, emphasizing universal benefits for muscle strength and longevity in older women.

Independence from Activity and Other Factors

Critically, associations persisted after accounting for accelerometer-tracked MVPA and sedentary time—key in prior studies. Even women below 150 weekly MVPA minutes (guidelines) benefited: per 7 kg grip gain, 10% lower risk. Adjustments for gait speed and CRP further confirmed strength's standalone role, suggesting mechanisms beyond fitness or inflammation, like frailty prevention or metabolic health.

Dr. LaMonte notes, "Muscular strength enables movement against gravity, foundational for daily function." This independence bolsters calls to integrate strength assessment in geriatric care.Read the full JAMA study.

Photo by Nigel Msipa on Unsplash

Diversity and Subgroup Consistency

The cohort's diversity strengthened generalizability. No interactions by age (<80 vs ≥80), race/ethnicity, BMI categories, MVPA levels, or sedentary time. Grip strength edged chair stands in predictions, vital for clinical simplicity. Sensitivity tests (excluding early deaths, relative strength) affirmed robustness.

Sarcopenia: The Underlying Muscle Loss Crisis

Sarcopenia—age-related loss of muscle mass and function—affects 10-16% of US older adults, rising to 31-51% in women over 80, per recent estimates. It triples fall risk, doubles hospitalization odds, and hikes mortality 2-3 fold. In women, hormonal shifts post-menopause accelerate loss (1-2% yearly). UB's findings spotlight strength as a modifiable target, independent of mass.

• Low grip strength: 5% US adults 60+, 13% intermediate.
• Prevalence higher in women, minorities, obese.
• Costs: $40B+ annually in US healthcare.

Actionable Strategies: Building Strength for Longevity

CDC guidelines urge 150+ minutes moderate aerobic plus 2+ days muscle-strengthening for adults 65+. Focus major groups: legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, arms.

• Chair stands/squats: 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps; progress to unassisted.
• Grip trainers/resistance bands: Squeeze 10-15 reps/hand.
• Wall push-ups, seated rows: Bodyweight or cans/books.
• Protein: 1.2-1.6g/kg bodyweight daily; vitamin D, creatine aid gains.

Start slow, consult physicians/PTs. UB's LaMonte: "Soup cans provide resistance." CDC Older Adult Guidelines.

University at Buffalo's Leadership in Aging Research

UB's School of Public Health drives WHI analyses, with LaMonte's team pioneering activity-strength links. This study advances epidemiology, informing careers in gerontology. Explore opportunities at higher-ed-jobs or university-jobs. Related WHI work ties fitness to CVD prevention.

Photo by Gorilla Freak on Unsplash

Implications, Limitations, and Future Directions

Clinically, integrate grip/chair tests in checkups; promote strength universally. Public health: Update messaging beyond aerobics. Limitations: observational (no causation), self-selected ambulatory cohort, no muscle mass direct measure. Future: RCTs on training interventions, men comparisons, molecular mechanisms.

Prior studies affirm: meta-analyses link strength to 20-50% mortality drop. UB positions as aging research hub.

Empowering Older Women: Strength for a Vital Future

This UB study cements muscle strength as longevity pillar for older women. Act now: strength train, monitor progress. Researchers like LaMonte illuminate paths; pursue public health at higher-ed-jobs, rate professors via rate-my-professor, seek advice at higher-ed-career-advice. Stronger today, thriving tomorrow. UB Study Coverage.