Cardiac Rehabilitation And Quality Of Life Scores

Gait and Handgrip Strength Index (GHSI) Calculator

Clinical calculation support · Verify results before clinical use

Functional assessment

Use measurements obtained with a documented, consistent protocol.

2 MEASURES

Enter usual-pace walking speed measured over a known distance. Record the test distance and protocol in the clinical record.

Enter the measured value in kilograms. Interpretation depends on the patient population, sex, body size, device, and measurement protocol.

Clinical context

Gait speed and handgrip strength are separate measures of physical performance and muscle function. Evidence supports associations between each measure and health outcomes in studied populations; this does not establish a validated equation that combines them into the Gait and Handgrip Strength Index (GHSI).

How to interpret the measurements

  • Gait speed: interpret alongside age, mobility aids, test distance, walking protocol, symptoms, and the reason for assessment.
  • Handgrip strength: interpret using an appropriate population-specific reference or validated framework, accounting for sex, body size, device, position, and trial protocol.
  • Clinical decisions: integrate these findings with a comprehensive functional and clinical assessment. Neither measure alone establishes frailty or determines treatment.

Why no composite score is shown

The original code used 0.7 × gait speed + 0.3 × (handgrip strength / 50 kg), with assumed 50-kg normalization and risk bands of ≥1.0, 0.7–0.99, and <0.7. A source validating that equation, its weighting, and those cutoffs was not identified in the cited studies. Those calculations and categories have therefore been removed rather than presented as validated clinical risk prediction.

References

Studenski S, Perera S, Patel K, et al. Gait Speed and Survival in Older Adults. JAMA. 2011;305(1):50–58. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2010.1923. PMID: 21205966.
Leong DP, Teo KK, Rangarajan S, et al. Prognostic value of grip strength: findings from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. The Lancet. 2015;386(9990):266–273. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62000-6. PMID: 25982160.
Clinical disclaimer: This tool summarizes two entered measurements and does not provide a validated GHSI score, frailty diagnosis, or mortality prediction. Confirm measurement technique and use the relevant guideline or validated instrument for the population being assessed. Clinical judgement remains essential.
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