Losing your grip? It could be a clue to your health

Grip strength can indicate overall muscle tone and, according to one study, even suggest how long you might live.

Getting a good grip on your health may mean … getting a good grip. The force you can muster when squeezing an object or a weight doesn’t only reveal how strong your hand and arm are. It can be a measure of overall muscle function and — according to one recent study — even portend how long you’re likely to live.

That’s not as nutty as it seems, says Richard Bohannon, a professor of physical therapy at the University of Connecticut. “Grip strength reflects your overall muscle status and a general sense of how much muscle mass you have” he says. “If you have more muscle in your upper body, you probably have more in your lower body as well.” And if your muscles are wasting, you’re further down the road to frailty.