['To determine insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle fatty acid (FA) handling at baseline and after a high-fat mixed meal in impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), IFG/IGT and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects.', 'In this multi-center study, insulin sensitivity and β-cell function were assessed (n=102), using a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic and hyperglycemic clamp with additional arginine stimulation and a 75\u2009g oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting and postprandial skeletal muscle FA handling was examined in a substudy using the forearm balance technique (n=35).', 'A total of 102 subjects with IFG (n=48), IGT (n=12), IFG/IGT (n=26) and NGT (n=16).', 'IFG, IGT and IFG/IGT subjects had lower insulin sensitivity with no differences between groups, and lower impaired β-cell function compared with NGT controls. The early postprandial increase in triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration was higher (iAUC(0-2\u2009h) IFG: 238.4±26.5, IGT: 234.0±41.0 and NGT: 82.6±13.8\u2009μmol\u2009l(-1)\u2009min(-1), both P<0.05) and early TAG extraction was increased (AUC(0-2\u2009h) IFG: 56.8±9.0, IGT: 52.2±12.0 and NGT: 3.8±15.4\u2009nmol·100\u2009ml(-1)\u2009min(-1), P<0.05 and P=0.057, respectively) in both IFG and IGT subjects.'] Is impaired insulin sensitivity accompanied by disturbances in skeletal muscle fatty acid handling in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism?