Struggling to lift shopping could be sign of health risk

OVER-50S who struggle to lift an 11lb bag of shopping are in danger of developing potentially deadly diseases, including dementia.

- By Stephen Beech

Scientists say far from a minor inconvenience, muscle weakness is a serious warning for overall health.

Currently, methods doctors use to measure strength require expensive devices only clinics can afford.

But a research team began tracking more than 51,000 over-50s from 15 countries to find a simpler test for assessing muscle strength anyone could do at home and came up with lifting a 5kg weight.

The study's first author, Professor Rizwan Qaisar, from the United Arab Emirates, said: "What we found was quite significant.