Low handgrip strength
Low handgrip strength has been studied in 6 papers since 2019: 6 observational studies in people; 2 in the past year. The newest paper, Jul 17, 2026: “The joint association of obesity and low handgrip strength with cognitive impairment and probable dementia: a cross-sectional study”.
6 papers study it10 findingsUpdated
See all 6 papers on low handgrip strength
At a glance
Independent labs found the same change in people. 5 independent labs in 6 countries.
“Low HGS was associated with increased risks of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality ( HR range 1.39-1.72).”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 5 independent labs in 6 countries
- Funders: Diabetes UK and 4 more
- Humans6
What is low handgrip strength linked with?
8Studies link low handgrip strength with 8 measures, most often mortality (3 studies), probable dementia (1) and cognitive impairment (1).
Mortality
upin humans3HR 1.08–3.11
3 studies
Mortality
upin humans3HR 1.08–3.11
Low handgrip strength is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (HR 1.44 (95% CI 1.32–1.58)).
“those with weakness had a 1.44 (CI 1.32‒1.58) higher hazard for mortality”
Humans2006‒2014n = 19,325
Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness May Accelerate Time to Mortality in Aging Americans
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
Low handgrip strength is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (HR 3.11, 95% CI 1.18-8.17).
“low HGS (HR 3.11, 95% CI 1.18-8.17)”
Humans60 monthsn = 79
American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
Low handgrip strength is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (genetically predicted, Mendelian randomization) (HR range 1.08-1.19).
“Low genetically predicted HGS was associated with an increased risk of mortality ( HR range 1.08-1.19).”
Humansgenetically predicted, Mendelian randomization
Journal of the American Heart Association
Probable dementia
upin humans1
1 study
Probable dementia
upin humans1
Low handgrip strength is associated with probable dementia in humans.
“For probable dementia, low HGS was associated with higher odds in both sexes”
Humansn = 4,656
Frontiers in nutrition
Cognitive impairment
upin humans1
1 study
Cognitive impairment
upin humans1
Low handgrip strength is associated with cognitive impairment in humans with or without obesity.
“Low HGS, with or without obesity, was associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment in both sexes.”
Humanswith or without obesityn = 4,656
Frontiers in nutrition
Common infections
upin humans1
1 study
Common infections
upin humans1
Low handgrip strength is linked with a higher risk of common infections in humans (underweight individuals; replicated in HKOS with consistent associations).
“the relative risks associated with low grip strength were generally most pronounced in underweight individuals”
Humansunderweight individuals; replicated in HKOS with consistent associations
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
Sepsis
upin humans1HR 1.08
1 study
Sepsis
upin humans1HR 1.08
Low handgrip strength is linked with a higher risk of sepsis in humans (per 5-kg decrement in handgrip strength, UK Biobank) (HR 1.08 per 5-kg decrement (95% CI 1.07-1.10)).
“UTI (1.10; 1.09-1.11), skin infection (1.05; 1.04-1.05), and sepsis (1.08; 1.07-1.10)”
Humansper 5-kg decrement in handgrip strength, UK Biobankper 5-kg decrementmedian follow-up 13.6-15.3 yearsn = 405,451
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
Urinary tract infection
upin humans1HR 1.1
1 study
Urinary tract infection
upin humans1HR 1.1
Low handgrip strength is linked with a higher risk of urinary tract infection in humans (per 5-kg decrement in handgrip strength, UK Biobank) (HR 1.10 per 5-kg decrement (95% CI 1.09-1.11)).
“UTI (1.10; 1.09-1.11), skin infection (1.05; 1.04-1.05), and sepsis (1.08; 1.07-1.10)”
Humansper 5-kg decrement in handgrip strength, UK Biobankper 5-kg decrementmedian follow-up 13.6-15.3 yearsn = 405,451
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
Pneumonia
upin humans1HR 1.1
1 study
Pneumonia
upin humans1HR 1.1
Low handgrip strength is linked with a higher risk of pneumonia in humans (per 5-kg decrement in handgrip strength, UK Biobank) (HR 1.10 per 5-kg decrement (95% CI 1.09-1.11)).
“lower handgrip strength was associated with significantly increased risk of pneumonia (hazard ratio per 5-kg decrement=1.10; 95% CI=1.09-1.11)”
Humansper 5-kg decrement in handgrip strength, UK Biobankper 5-kg decrementmedian follow-up 13.6-15.3 yearsn = 405,451
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality
upin humans1HR 1.39–1.72
1 study
Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality
upin humans1HR 1.39–1.72
Low handgrip strength is linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in humans (HR range 1.39-1.72).
“Low HGS was associated with increased risks of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality ( HR range 1.39-1.72).”
Humans
Journal of the American Heart Association