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HONG KONG – A new study from the University of Hong Kong’s LKS Faculty of Medicine (HKUMed) has revealed that maintaining high muscle strength can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), even in individuals with a high genetic predisposition to the disease.
The research, published in BMC Medicine, analyzed data from 141,848 white British participants in the UK Biobank, a large-scale prospective cohort study. Researchers assessed muscle strength using grip strength measurements and genetic risk for T2D based on 138 known genetic variants.
Over a seven-year follow-up period, 4,743 participants developed T2D. The study found that individuals with high muscle strength had a 44% lower relative risk of developing T2D compared to those with low muscle strength, even after accounting for genetic risk and other contributing factors.
“The findings emphasize the crucial role of maintaining or enhancing muscle strength as a key strategy for preventing T2D in middle-aged and older adults, regardless of their genetic risk levels and including those at high genetic risk,” said Dr. Wang Mengyao, the study’s first author.
The research also indicated an interaction between muscle strength and genetic susceptibility, suggesting that strong muscles may modify the impact of genetic risk on T2D onset. Notably, individuals with high genetic risk but high muscle strength had a lower absolute risk of T2D than those with low or medium genetic risk but low muscle strength.
“This study highlights the significance of Biobank studies in examining the interaction between exposures and genetics in influencing the risk of T2D,” stated Professor Ryan Au Yeung, a co-author of the study. He also noted that “Further research utilizing ethnic-specific Biobank studies is needed to determine if these findings are applicable to other populations, such as East Asians.”
T2D affects approximately 10% of the global population and is associated with serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. The study reinforces the importance of incorporating muscle-strengthening activities into routine health practices.
“Our study supports the current public health guidelines which suggest that adults should engage in muscle-strengthening activities for at least two days per week from a disease prevention perspective,” said Professor Youngwon Kim, the study’s corresponding author.
The researchers recommend that individuals in middle to late life, who are at increased risk of T2D, prioritize maintaining and improving muscle strength as a preventative measure.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a single study conducted on a specific population (white British individuals). Further research is needed to confirm these findings in other populations and to fully understand the mechanisms involved. The information provided should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen.(Mengyao Wang et al, Prospective associations between muscle strength and genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes with incident type 2 diabetes: a UK Biobank study, BMC Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03819-9)
