Hand gripping dynamometer symbolizing metabolic health and grip strength testing.

Grip Strength and Diabetes: What You Need to Know

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research sheds light on the connection between muscle strength and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Is your grip a sign of your health?"

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health concern, with cases rising globally. While the link between obesity and T2DM is well-established, the connection between body composition, muscle performance, and diabetes risk is more complex. Understanding this relationship could provide new strategies for prevention and management.

Previous research has suggested that low grip strength might be associated with prevalent T2DM and pre-diabetes, leading some to propose it as a marker for identifying at-risk individuals. However, conflicting results from various studies have created uncertainty about this association. Some studies suggest the association is more pronounced in specific groups. This has fueled ongoing research to clarify whether grip strength can truly predict the development of T2DM, especially in generally healthy individuals.

A recent study published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice investigated the predictive value of grip strength on the incidence of T2DM in healthy adults aged 50-75 years. This prospective, population-based study, known as the CoLaus study, followed participants over several years to determine if baseline grip strength could forecast the development of diabetes.

Does Grip Strength Really Predict Diabetes Risk?

Hand gripping dynamometer symbolizing metabolic health and grip strength testing.

The CoLaus study involved 2,318 participants initially free from T2DM. Baseline grip strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer, and participants were followed for an average of 5.5 years, with a second follow-up after 10.7 years. The study aimed to determine if grip strength at the beginning of the study could predict who would develop T2DM.

After 5.5 years, 190 participants (8.2%) developed T2DM. Surprisingly, in initial analysis, those who developed T2DM had slightly higher absolute grip strength at baseline (35.3 ± 10.6 kg) compared to those who did not (33.2 ± 10.7 kg). However, this seemingly positive correlation shifted when other factors were considered.

Age and Sex: When adjusted for age and sex, the association between grip strength and incident T2DM became negative.
BMI: Further adjustment for body mass index (BMI) reinforced the negative association.
Diabetes Risk Scores: Incorporating established diabetes risk scores eliminated any significant association between grip strength and the development of T2DM.

The second follow-up after 10.7 years, which identified an additional 131 T2DM cases, also found no significant association between grip strength and incident T2DM in both bivariate and multivariable analyses. The researchers suggested that a lack of statistical power might have influenced these results.

What Does This Mean for You?

The CoLaus study suggests that grip strength alone may not be a reliable predictor of T2DM in healthy, non-elderly adults. While maintaining muscle strength is undoubtedly beneficial for overall health, it might not directly translate into a reduced risk of developing diabetes. Instead, factors like age, sex, BMI, and comprehensive risk scores appear to be more influential in predicting T2DM. Further research is needed to fully understand the interplay between muscle strength and diabetes risk, particularly in younger cohorts.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.diabres.2017.08.004, Alternate LINK

Title: Grip Strength Is Not Associated With Incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Healthy Adults: The Colaus Study

Subject: Endocrinology

Journal: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Pedro Marques-Vidal, Peter Vollenweider, Gérard Waeber, François R. Jornayvaz

Published: 2017-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is grip strength and why is it important?

Grip strength is a measure of the maximum force generated by your forearm and hand muscles. It's often assessed using a handheld dynamometer. While seemingly simple, grip strength is considered an indicator of overall muscle strength and physical health. Its importance lies in its potential to reflect an individual's overall muscular health, which can be linked to various health outcomes, including the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

What did the CoLaus study find out about grip strength and diabetes?

The CoLaus study examined whether grip strength could predict the development of T2DM in healthy adults. The study found that grip strength alone isn't a reliable predictor of T2DM. Factors such as age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), as well as established diabetes risk scores, appear to be more influential. The study suggests that while muscle strength is beneficial, it might not directly translate to a reduced diabetes risk.

What is body mass index (BMI) and why is it important in the context of diabetes?

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. BMI is used to categorize individuals into weight categories such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. BMI is important because it's associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The CoLaus study indicated that when BMI is considered, the initial positive association between grip strength and diabetes risk diminished, reinforcing the idea that factors like BMI are more influential.

What is type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and why should I care?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels. It occurs when the body doesn't effectively use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin. T2DM is important because it can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision problems. Understanding the factors that contribute to T2DM, such as obesity, body composition, and potentially muscle strength, is crucial for prevention and management.

What are diabetes risk scores and how do they relate to predicting diabetes?

A diabetes risk score is a tool used to estimate an individual's likelihood of developing T2DM based on various risk factors, such as age, family history, BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Diabetes risk scores are significant because they provide a more comprehensive assessment of diabetes risk than any single factor alone. The CoLaus study found that when diabetes risk scores were considered, any significant association between grip strength and the development of T2DM disappeared, suggesting that these comprehensive scores are better predictors.