# Grip strength

Grip strength is the maximal force you generate when you squeeze a device called a dynamometer. It is a cheap, simple proxy for your whole-body muscular function. In the 17-country PURE cohort (Leong et al., Lancet 2015; about 140,000 adults), each 5 kg drop in grip strength predicted roughly a 16% higher all-cause death risk. That actually beat systolic blood pressure as a mortality predictor. Grip strength correlates with your neuromuscular health, nutritional status, and recovery capacity. That makes it one of the most validated biomarkers of biological aging.

## Sources

- Leong DP, Teo KK, Rangarajan S, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Avezum A Jr, Orlandini A, Seron P, Ahmed SH, Rosengren A, Kelishadi R, Rahman O, Swaminathan S, Iqbal R, Gupta R, Lear SA, Oguz A, Yusoff K, Zatonska K, Chifamba J, Igumbor E, Mohan V, Anjana RM, Gu H, Li W, Yusuf S. (2015). Prognostic value of grip strength: findings from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62000-6

## Used in

### Papers (6)

- [Low Selenium May Be a Risk Factor for Age-Related Muscle Loss, Review Finds](https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/low-selenium-may-be-a-risk-factor-for-age-related-muscle-loss-review-finds) · Preliminary · 2026-09-18
- [A Hidden Cloak Lets Zombie Cells Dodge Your Immune System](https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/a-hidden-cloak-lets-zombie-cells-dodge-your-immune-system) · Preliminary · 2026-09-10
- [Your Epigenetic Age May Predict How Fast Your Grip and Memory Fade](https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/your-epigenetic-age-may-predict-how-fast-your-grip-and-memory-fade) · Moderate · 2026-08-28
- [Exercise Builds Muscle and Strength in Postmenopausal Women With Sarcopenia](https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/exercise-builds-muscle-and-strength-in-postmenopausal-women-with-sarcopenia) · Strong · 2026-05-20
- [Losing Your Sense Of Smell May Signal Faster Muscle Decline With Age](https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/losing-your-sense-of-smell-may-signal-faster-muscle-decline-with-age) · Moderate · 2026-05-11
- [Exercise Helps Older Adults With Sarcopenic Obesity, but Evidence Quality Is Mixed](https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/exercise-helps-older-adults-with-sarcopenic-obesity-but-evidence-quality-is-mixed) · Moderate · 2026-04-06

### Articles (5)

- [What your grip strength quietly says about your lifespan](https://longevity-germany.com/en/articles/what-your-grip-strength-quietly-says-about-your-lifespan) · 2026-09-02
- [Is longevity only for the rich?](https://longevity-germany.com/en/articles/is-longevity-only-for-the-rich) · 2026-07-30
- [Why Longevity Rewards Confidence Over Evidence](https://longevity-germany.com/en/articles/why-longevity-rewards-confidence-over-evidence) · 2026-04-20
- [Welcoming Longevity Cologne!](https://longevity-germany.com/en/articles/welcoming-longevity-cologne) · 2026-03-30
- [Why the Gut is Key to Healthy Aging](https://longevity-germany.com/en/articles/warum-der-darm-fuer-gesundes-altern-so-wichtig-ist) · 2026-03-23

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_Canonical: https://longevity-germany.com/en/glossary/grip-strength · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_